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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

On the Edge: Whimsical Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday, my sweet friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years weekend! :o)

This week's Whimsical Wednesday challenge is: On the Edge! To play along with us this week, your card or project must include a border. :o)

This card may be simplistic, but its purpose and inspiration are quite marvelous. I'll tell you why at the end for those of you who read through my chatter! Believe it or not, I try to minimize jibber jabber on DT posts... but this story must be included.

"Take life by the hand and dance"
Can you imagine my fluttery heart when I first saw this sentiment of Stephanie's? My absolute favorite Whimsical Designs sentiment, from the versatile Whimsical Fun~ Volume 1 set. It pairs perfectly with this precious digi stamp from The Paper Shelter, appropriately titled The Lovely Ballerina. I adore her so much that I purchased these beautiful rosy Copics specifically for her first costume. Her hair is a new color combo for me, which is not as auburn/reddish as it appears in this picture. The border requirement for this card is one of my favorite parts. My sweet mom surprised me with a sewing machine for Christmas... I am still in shock! She found it funny that my first project with it was on paper, not fabric! Hehe. I used the classically beautiful zig zag border stitch to frame the design. I have always loved how sewing looks on paper crafts, so I am elated to now have the ability. :o) This card is bursting with newness, from the new sewing technique to my new tulle, heart stick pin, and Stardusted flower. :o)

The snowflakes that suddenly began to fall prevented me from accurately capturing the main pink papers. I was a bit rushed and the sky was playing tricks on me. The diamond pattern is textural and sparkly, which looks so pretty in person. The white script on various sections makes me think of written ballet choreography or perhaps memories from a cherished day of dance. The mat behind the dancer has a beautiful tonal floral design over half of it, which matches the sentiment's mat. (Making a lightbox is a top priority this month! I'm pretty sure I said that last month, too.)

And now, the story of this little card... followed by the event that it celebrates. Our sweet dancer is delicately sparklified, with just the tutu bodice and lacy trims sprinkled with Stardust. To give her a bit of an actual surface, I dotted a little shadow and covered it in Stardust because she's leaving a trail of sparkles as she dances to her heart's content. The rhinestones on the white pearlescent cardstock are designed to be sparkling raindrops because she is dancing through her storms... she is outright defying them. The raindrops gradually get smaller the further they fall and end with a heart to signify God's love raining down upon us as we fight through trials and tribulations. He showers us with His perfect love, enabling us to be strong. The tulle's purpose? Not only because it's used for tutus, but also because it's like the entire card is wrapped in a giant tutu hug. Tulle= Love.

Aside from the story it tells, there's also an event it replicates. My mom being home for Christmas was certainly a gift. But guess what? I received another amazing gift. I danced on Christmas night. :o) It wasn't for an entire song... but for a few beautiful seconds, I danced along the brick and stone path alongside my home, surrounded by Christmas lights and a crisp winter breeze. A treasured moment in my beloved and missed dance world. I was wobbly, achy, and a bit unsteady, but filled with so much joy that I no longer care that my spine was too locked up to permit a sky-high extension to complete my tour jete. What I currently lack in technique is more than made up for in heart. Divine love rained down upon me.. just like it has for this entire injured journey. I have every confidence that this is the year I'll return to the dance studio. That Christmas blessing was a tiny glimpse and this little card is a celebration of it. :o)

I hope you'll join us this week by linking up your On the Edge card or project to the Whimsical Wednesday challenge post! I look forward to seeing your marvelous work! This week's generous sponsor is Crop Stop, who is donating an EK Success Edge Punch called Doily Petals. Have you seen this system to create flowers from an edge punch? It looks fabulous!
Be sure to pirouette on over to the rest of the Whimsical Designers' blogs to see their fantastic projects! Thank you for visiting me today. I hope you have a sparkly happy day! :o)

Challenges entered:
 * Frosted Designs~ Something New! (Machine sewing, tulle, stick pin, flower, glitter paper)
 * The Paper Shelter~ Anything Goes

Key Recipe Components:
 * Spellbinders Nestabilities: Labels Four
 * Sentiment stamp: Whimsical Designs~ Whimsical Fun, Volume 1
 * Digi stamp: The Paper Shelter~ The Lovely Ballerina
 * Copics: E0000, E000, E00 (skin); YR20, YR21, YR24, E35 (hair); R81, R83, R85 (costume); R10 (tights)
 * Paper: Best Creation, Core'dinations, DCWV, stash
 * Flower: Recollections
 * Heart Stick Pin: Little Yellow Bicycle
 * Miscellaneous: iRock (round rhinestones); Heart rhinestones (Recollections); Stickles; Tulle

Photobucket

26 comments:

  1. Hi Karen your card is lovely great image and beautiful background papers and lovely gemstones:) Sandra H

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  2. Wow such a pretty card Karen!
    Love the colors and those heart gems are awesome too... great cute image and colored up perfectly.....

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  3. Oh Karen, my friend, this card is so...YOU. From the sparkles, to the sentiment, to the beautiful ballerina dancing her way through the storm - it's just YOU. And I love it.

    Your Copic skills are shining! Look at how you tackled those rose-coloured pleats and WON. And her hair! Brilliant. :) And the border - is it weird that I'm jealous of your sewing machine? - the zig-zag just completes the whole project. Gosh, this is just so PRETTY!

    Must I once again admit that your poetry-like post brought tears to my eyes? Between the card, and the joy in your words as you described your brief but beautiful dance, well, this is one of those moments that just makes you want to jump up and shout "You go girl!" :)

    Well done, as always. :)

    Nita

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  4. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    *grabs my sweetest little dancer and hugglers her something fierce*

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I SOOOOOOO LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

    My sweetest sis, I have no words to describe just how much your card means to me. Because of all it represents and the magical moment it celebrates from this Christmas, it will forever mean the absolute universe to me. Truly, Christmas was just a preview of all the jete filled moments God has planned for my sweetest Sunshine in the very near future. I couldn't be more proud of you my sis. I received the best gift of all that night. If only you knew just how much I adore this card.

    *hugglers you with my whole entire heart and beyond*

    "Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock…” Isaiah 26:4

    God bless my Sunshine (aka universe’s bestest dancer) forever and always…

    I LOVE YOU SISSSSSSSSS!!!

    *giant smooshy jete squishies*
    ~~~ Christina

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  5. What a heart lifting story, Karen and I think your card couldn't have told it any better! Every little detail done to perfection. Your coloring is beautiful and, girl, can you tell me the secret to such perfect stitching on your very first try? Good grief, my stitching is barbaric, to say the least. Looks like you're starting off the New Year quite literally, with all of your new materials and techniques. Sounds like a great start to me! Happy New Year!

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  6. Your lovely ballerina is just adorable. Your coloring is just amazing!! The details are fantastic-lovin' the flower w/stickpin and cute little gems and how about that tulle bow? Love this! I have to tell you, your stories are so lifting...you are one gifted and talented lady and I am SO inspired by you and your creativity:) You always put so much heart into your projects and have out full attention to each project you post. I LOVE your outstanding work:) Thanks for sharing your beautiful work my friend!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  7. Great job Karen!I LOVE that pretty image and your coloring is AMAZING as always my friend!Have a great evening!:)

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  8. Hi Karen, what a lovely story behind your card - and I love all of your dance vocabulary! Very pretty feminine card! I hope you'll join us again at Frosted Designs!

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  9. This is gorgeous Karen! I love how elegant the soft colors look and the way the gems look like they are raining down. The stitched border looks so nice and you did a magnificent job coloring that beautiful image!

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  10. When I first saw this post Karen, even before I read a word, the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the card was happiness! This card is bursting with love and happiness! You can tell that it is something dear to your heart! The dancing girl is lost in her own world of dancing magic! All of the details are just stunning!! I love this card!! I hope your mom is feeling much better and that your new year is starting out sparkly and fabulous my sweet friend!!

    Hugs, Lisa :)
    indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  11. Beautiful, beautiful card! Thank you for sharing your story!
    Big Hugs
    Tracy M
    :)

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  12. Karen this is a beautiful card, it is stunning! You are so artistic. You're coloring is amazing.

    Now for the back story this time, it really touched my heart. I had to stop reading and dry my eyes. I too felt God's love raining down amidst a storm. And You danced!!! You know the dance means something to me too, just look at my blog button. God is good, all the time.

    Thank you Karen for your sweet words of care and encouragement you leave me, I cherish your visits,

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

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  13. Beautiful card!
    Carri~abusybee
    www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

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  14. Your card is beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us this week over at Frosted Designs for a challenge

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  15. This card is just overflowing with happiness. It sure did make me smile. I love the tulle, and how you designed the litle gems to appear as they are flowing down. When I designed this stamp I had no doubt it would be your favorite. It was inspired by our shared love for dancing. :) I was so excited to read that you danced how wonderful. I am confident that this is your year Karen! Great job with the challenge. Hugs!

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  16. Gorgeous card beautifully coloured and lovely papers. Thanks for joining us at TPS, good luck with the challenge.hugs, Linda

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  17. hi karen
    im so excited for you getting to dance :) i hope the new year brings all good things your way . your card is so pretty. i love the little gems you added esp the floating ones under the tulle. super job :)

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  18. Beautiful card, Karen! I love how you colored the dancer! So pretty! Love the stickpin and rhinestones too! So happy for you being able to dance on Christmas! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  19. Oh I love this card.. The colors and the sheer ribbon, plus all the bling.. Absolutely beautiful!!
    Hugs
    Nanné

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  20. Oh my goodness! I love every element of this card, but that little dancer just really melts my heart! :) Looks like she's a redhead too... ;)
    Amy
    redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com

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  21. Karen I am so pleased you danced.Wishing you lots of good things to come!
    I LOVE your pretty card and can tell how dear this is to your heart.Stunning colouring too my friend.
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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  22. Oh Karen my sweet Karen! Your card bring tears to my eyes but joy to my heart! It's so beautiful and I just love every detail! I'm happy to hear your mom is getting better I'm still praying. Karen I hope the new year brings beautiful blessings for you and your family! Thank you for your talents!
    Shelly

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  24. How exciting that you were able to dance... I don't know why you haven't been able to but so happy that for a brief few minutes you were able to..
    Your coloring is so awesome. . You card is breathtaking, I love how the little dancer is defying the storms and dancing through them and how God sends His love to make us strong enough to go through our trials . And your mom sounds as sweet as you are ..How exciting that she surprised you with a sew machine. Thank you for reminding me to keep dancing even when I don't feel like it, that God will give me the strength to make it through the storm...love and hugs

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  25. Oh Karen, I am soooooooo happy for you my friend! The fact that you danced, even if for a brief moment, is such a positive encouragement! Take it one day at a time and little by little, you will get there!
    Your card is beautiful! I love the sweet ballerina, dancing her little heart out. The lavendar colors are so pretty with the sparkliness. The little flower in the corner and tulle are such pretty touches. And yes, that sentiment is lovely!!
    Enjoy your new sewing machine! I love that look too!
    Excellent job my sweet friend!

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

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