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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Bringing Out the Old: Whimsical Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday, my crafty friends! I hope your February is off to a fantastic start! :o)

This week's Whimsical Wednesday challenge is to incorporate something that you haven't used in a long time to create a scrapbook LO, card, or project. It can be anything crafty related, be it a tool, cartridge, paper, or embellishment. (Tell us what it is, too!) My pretty ribbon and lovely weathered-green base are my old items. :o)

I combined old and new goodies to create a card inspired by my parents' 49th wedding anniversary, celebrated last week. :o) I tried a new-to-me fancy fold card: the diamond fold! I opted for the inside-out variation which moves the diamond inside.

Before the card springs to life, our little sweetheart is planting love...
Faithfully cared for, the love blossoms into all things beautiful... "All because we fell in love"
Forty-nine years later, my parents still love each other so much. Thinking about love that endures the tough times (and even becomes stronger from them) made this card come to be. I used three coordinating sheets of romantic papers full of vintage-y charm for the main theme, with each individual section machine-sewn to its cream mat. Those new patterned papers are from the gorgeous Kaisercraft English Rose collection, while the entire design is built upon my old and neglected green paper. The base may not show well in the pictures, but it's weathered and has sporadically-placed script. It is from the DCWV French Country stack which I needed when I saw it, thinking I'd use it oodles since I had nothing like it... and then only used it once. The same can be said for the neglected sheer pink ribbon, which is so pretty. I don't know why I've kept them aside for so long. Combining old and new seemed ideal to honor a love that began in the 50s and still thrives with each new day. :o)

On the front, our sweet gardener is a precious Elisabeth Bell stamp: Planting Some Love. Isn't she adorable? I received her as a gift for my birthday and I love her to pieces. I was trying to wait for Spring, but I couldn't hold out any longer. Plus, she's perfect for a card about planting love. :o) I had to leave off part of the stamp due to spacial constraints, so I guess I'll have to color her again soon... woohoo! :o) I colored her up with Copics, used three shades of Flower Soft for the flowers on her hat, and couldn't resist sparklifying her patches and the hearts on her gloves. (Her gloves are yellow because she's also planting sunshine into the lives of all she meets. She's sappy like that.) I also carefully dabbed some Star Dust on the Flower Soft. I made her a background of sky and Create-a-Critter grass, sewed it, and then attached it to the pretty Fleur de Lis Spellbinders base. My new flowers are beautiful roses and hip rosebuds from Wild Orchid Crafts, accented with touches of Star Dust. I inked the white lace to make it more vintage-inspired, tucked a pearl-accented Cindy Loo flourish beneath it, and tied the card together with ribbon.

For the interior, pretty triangles surround the key to the entire story... the sweet Whimsical Designs stamp from the With Love set: All because we fell in love. The oodles of triangles, diamonds, and rectangles and their bases indeed took a while to cut and sew, but it was worth it. It makes it almost like patchwork, symbolizing woven memories in their love's tapestry. Despite every section having a pattern of some sort, most are journaling-friendly to jot down a special note or memory if desired. The Copic-colored pot of flowers is from the same Elisabeth Bell stamp, but I tucked it inside to signify love blossoming. :o)

The diamond-fold card tutorial I used can be found HERE.

The entire With Love set, which I simply cannot get enough of:
I hope you'll join us this week by linking up your creation to the Whimsical Wednesday challenge post, where you'll also find information on this week's prize. I'm excited to see what old items you incorporate. :o) Be sure to dance on over to the rest of the Whimsical Designers' blogs to see their marvelous projects!

Thank you for fluttering on by! I hope your day sparkles with love. :o)

Challenges entered:
 * Die Cuttin Divas~ Anything Goes
 * My Craft Spot~ Anything Goes
 * My Sheri Crafts~ New Things (Technique, papers, flowers)
 * Winter Wonderland~ Swirls and Pearls

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridges: Cindy Loo, Create a Critter, Storybook (branches beneath Wild Orchid flowers)
 * Cuttlebug embossing folder: Swiss Dots (on branches)
 * Spellbinders Nestabilities: Fleur de Lis Squares
 * Sentiment stamp: Whimsical Designs~ With Love
 * Image stamp: Belles and Whistles/Elisabeth Bell: Planting Some Love; Colored with Copics
 * Paper: Basic Grey, DCWV, Kaisercraft, Papertrey Ink
 * Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
 * Lace: American Crafts
 * Ribbon: stash
 * Miscellaneous: Flower Soft, Pearls (Recollections), Stickles

Photobucket

25 comments:

  1. oh my word..that card is gorgeous!! I love love love the colors, the cute stamp and how you added the sentiment...
    Hugs
    Nanné

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  2. Love love love it Karen.... Just a sweet pretty card... Perfect image on this diamond fold card...love that cute sentiment...and that die cut is a must on my list.... Such a fab card my friend...

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  3. Wow!!! Wow!! Wow!! This is so STUNNING and absolutely perfect in everyway! You nailed it with such pretty details. The image is just the sweetest:) I need to go check out this fold! TFS your lovely card!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  4. This fold looks so fun! I just love the stamp you used one the front. You did the most amazing coloring job :) TFS
    michelle
    http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com

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  5. Wow...this is beautiful and fun! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this project so much! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. WOW. That's all I can say, because you've pretty much rendered me speechless with this one. Seriously, Karen, my JAW dropped when I caught my first glimpse of this masterpiece. I can't believe how much time and effort went into this - You are truly amazing.

    All those stitches, sewing love into each section of the card. Those gorgeous flowers. That lovely ribbon. The PAPER - oh, how I *adore* your paper. And that fancy fold had me clapping and cheering. :)

    Super, SUPER card, my talented friend.

    Nita :)

    P.S. So much for rendering me speechless, right? lol! :)

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  7. A gorgeous creation, great use of the swirls and pearls, thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us at the Winter Wonderland this week
    Hugs Kate xx
    ps I have candy if you are interested:)

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  8. Oh Karen , you never cease to amaze me with your beautiful cards.. They are all filled with love.. And you remind me of the girl "she's also planting sunshine into the lives of all she meets" that's exactly what you do my friend.. I love to see you using that sewing machine your mom gave you- what a blessing you are to your parents.. I pray you have a "beautiful" February... Hugs from Ukiah

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  9. Wow oh wow, gorgeous creation, great use of the swirls and pearls so stunning:) Sandra H

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  10. Hey! I didn't know you let her borrow your sunshiny gloves, sis! TEE HEE HEE! *tackle squishers my Sunshine something silly*

    WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

    My precious sis, I couldn't think of a more extra special way to celebrate happy Valentine's month than with this card. It is just the most stunning and gorgeous celebration of love imaginable. *cries cause I can't stop thinking about how much heart and soul went into this gift* Do you know how amazing you are?!?!?!

    Did you give it to them yet Sunshine?!?!?! OMJ! They are going to flip when they see it!!! (Get it? Flip? Flip open card?...Tee hee hee!)SQUEEEEEEEEE!!! I am SO excited for them! I bet when they first met so many extra special years ago they never dreamed that their shared love would one day bless them with the most extra extra special daughter EVER. I love you all so much, Sunshine. If only you knew just how proud I am of you today...this card will make their hearts sparkle and shine like no present ever has before. SQUEEE! I soooooo can't wait until they open it!!!

    *hugglers you forever and ever and ever*
    ~~~Christina

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  11. Guess who loves you oodles and oodles and noodles?

    MEEEEEEEE!!!

    And guess who else too (gives you this as a hint)...

    "But as for that in the good soil, these were the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart..." Luke 8:15

    Forever Sparkling Hugglers...
    ~~~Christina

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  12. This is gorgeous Karen! The beautiful girl planting love is amazing and I love the diamond fold card. Congrats to your parents on 49 years! That is just wonderful and inspiring!

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  13. Oh my goodness, my sweet friend, this is amazing!! Wow, every single aspect is so elegant and stunning!! What a gorgeous card for your parents!! I hope they had a very happy anniversary!! I love love the diamond fold...I am going to have to try it!! And the flowers are so beautiful!! Perfection!! :D

    I hope you are doing well, Karen...I'm thinking of you and keeping you and your family in my prayers :) *HUGS*

    Lisa
    indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  14. This is truly gorgeous and I love the style of your card. Thanks for the joining us at DCD.

    Hugs,
    Patty
    creativediva98.blogspot.com

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  15. Wow, this is gorgeous. Thanks for playing at Winter Wonderland.

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  16. What a beautiful shaped card it must have taken you ages to make. Thank you for joining us this week at Winter Wonderland love Linda

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  17. This is absolutely gorgeous!! It takes my breath away, Karen! What a lovely, lovely card - from the papers to the colouring and flowers and flourish - and just perfect for the occasion!!
    Happy anniversary to your parents! What a celebration! I LOVE hearing about couples who stick together!

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  18. WOW, what a beautifully-detailed and gorgeously-created card for your parents' special 49th Anniversary -- I'm sure they'll LOVE it!!! Thank you so much for sharing your creation with us @ My Sheri Crafts!!!

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  19. 49 years!!! Happy Anniversary to your parents. This card is beautiful as always. What wonderful soft colors you have chosen. The flowers are just as sweet and delicate, and your little girl. Amazing coloring!! I LOVE LOVE this fold. I have yet to try it..now you have me inspired to do so. You finished it off so lovely with the little pot of flowers next to the sentiment!! Wonderful job with this challenge, and a very inspiring story of love behind it;) Hugs!

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  20. Karen,
    I cannot begin to tell you just how fabulous this card is. Colors, image, style, ribbon, everything is perfect!!!
    Charlotte

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  21. P.S. 49 years makes my heart smile. :)

    Hugs to your fabulous parents. I wanna be like them. :)

    Nita

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  22. Happy Anniversary to your parents! That is wonderful and I know they will cherish this special card you made for them. I love how it opens up and the sweet girl is so precious!

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  23. Wow! I just love this fold! Thanks for the link to the tutorial. and Thanks for joining us at DCD.
    -Yvette
    cre8tivegirls.blogspot.com

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  24. hi karen im having blogger/internet issues so gotta keep this short. your card is stunning! have a super fantastic day :)

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  25. Congratulations to your parents Karen! Such a beautiful card and fold for such a special occasion.
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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

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