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Monday, March 5, 2012

I Feel the Love: Love Blossoms Encouragement Card

Happy Monday, my crafty friends! I hope your weekend was beautiful. :o)

A new month means a new recipient of the I Feel the Love Project, faithfully hosted by the amazing Madison of Funky Cards. Each month she highlights a person, family, or organization in need of an extra dose of love and blessings. In turn, we have the privilege of crafting for this wonderful cause. No projects bring me more joy than the ones dedicated to I Feel the Love, despite often being made with a heavy heart.

This month's recipient is a lovely girl named Trinitie who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. I've pretty much thought about her non-stop since Friday morning when I read about her. Far too often I'm down to the wire with Madison's project (not typically by choice), but this one took precedence over everything. I simply needed to create for Trinitie immediately.

I will be making her a fun Create a Critter card, too... all kids love that cartridge! But from the moment I saw her picture and read her story, I've had it on my heart to make an encouragement card of a different nature. I couldn't let it go. I want to send her a little "garden" via a card bursting with nature's beauty. Her own little garden she can look at and immerse herself in whenever she likes, just like this sweet girl in my card.

"Love Blossoms"
This card is all about the sentiment's double meaning. While the flowers are surely love blossoms, the driving force and inspiration are with the verb form. Her little garden is blossoming in and by love, just like divine love is blossoming within her gorgeous heart as she faithfully awaits her miracle. Healing love is blossoming within her every time we pray for her. A reassurance of love is so encouraging to a child. Nature's beauty is unrivaled and I couldn't help but think a card bursting with unfading flowers might deliver a burst of sunshine to Trinitie's difficult life.

For those who like the stories behind so many of my cards, there are a couple involved here that are integral parts of this creation. The bottom of the card is yellow polka-dotted paper, serving as a path of sunbeams. I edged it with my Martha Stewart lacy heart border punch because my and God's love are with her every single step of her journey. The white flourish I made represents a pure, heavenly breeze... a whisper of hope and a breath of life. The pale yellow crinkle ribbon is a hug of warmth. The kind of hug that makes everything feel better. How I wish I could hug her.

Now for some technical details. The precious sweetheart is an Elisabeth Bell digi stamp, titled Little Rapunzel. I colored her with Copics and nestled her inside a field of flowers upon an Elegant Edges base. I centered some of the flowers on her shirt with rhinestones, along with a few surrounding flowers. I also sprinkled Star Dust Stickles throughout because she and nature sparkle with hope. I cut off the flower that was part of the stamp and replaced it with a small Wild Orchid Crafts mini rose. I wanted her to be holding a 'real' flower instead. :o) All roses on the card are from Wild Orchid Crafts, ranging from 15mm to 25mm, and are trimmed with Star Dust. I cut Storybook leaves to accompany them.

All of the patterned papers are from Kaisercraft's Lilac Avenue collection. The bases are a lovely deep purple, despite my stellar photography making them appear black. The flourish is an Autumn Leaves stamp which I heat embossed with white opaque embossing powder and dotted with pearls. The gorgeous Buttercup crinkle ribbon is from My Craft Spot, which I centered with a stitched heart button and a tiny Trendy Twine Grape Fizz bow. The sentiment is computer generated from my sappy heart.

To finish it off I stitched around the base layer and the middle layer with my sewing machine. I would have LOVED to stitch around the image, but decided I better wait until I can practice going in a circle first. I'm still working on a straight line for my 'straight' stitches as it is. ;) There is another part to this card; a coordinating gift box from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I can't complete it until I get to the store, so I'll post it with the second card I'll be making for her. :o) I hope with all of my sparkly heart that she likes this card.

It's super early in the month, so there's plenty of time for you to create a card for sweet Trinitie. :o) Visit I Feel the Love for details!

Challenges entered:
 * CES~ Flower Frenzy
 * Crafty Catz~ Punches and Dies
 * Cute Card Thursday~ Signs of Spring
 * DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ Three Layers, a Bow, and Bling
 * Die Cuttin' Divas~ Recipe (Fabric, Feathers, and/or Flowers)
 * Paper Playtime~ Die Cuts and Flowers
 * Sentimental Sundays~ Words of Encouragement
 * Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes
 * The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog~ Swirls and Pearls

Thank you for fluttering on by today! I hope your day sparkles with blessings, hugs, and a heap of chocolate. :o) Oh! And I mentioned happy news the other day... keep an eye out! To celebrate 100 posts (that took a while! Ha!), I'll soon be having a little giveaway. I love you all something crazy.

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridges: Elegant Edges, Storybook
 * Paper: Core'dinations, Kaisercraft
 * Sentiment: Computer generated
 * Digi stamp: Elisabeth Bell~ Little Rapunzel
 * Copics: E00, E000 (skin); E25, E29, D31 (hair); V01, V15, YG23 (shirt, jeans cuff); B91, B95, B97 (jeans)
 * Flourish stamp: Autumn Leaves
 * Border punch: Martha Stewart Lacy Heart
 * Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
 * Crinkle ribbon: My Craft Spot
 * Twine: Trendy Twine Grape Fizz
 * Heart button: Little Yellow Bicycle
 * Miscellaneous: Embossing Powder (Recollections Opaque Snow), Pearls (Recollections), Stickles


Photobucket

24 comments:

  1. i don't think i have ever a more beautiful card Karen, this is so breath taking, i know that when Trinitie opens it she is going to feel all the love you have tucked into this card. You are so amazing Karen. I hope you have a very "sparkly" week my friend. hugs from ukiah

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  2. It's perfect Karen. It's absolutely perfect.

    There is no little girl in world who wouldn't swoon upon receiving this card. Trinitie is going to be over the moon (especially since your digi girl is the spitting image of her)!

    Every detail, every piece of ribbon, every Copic stroke, every sparkle, every flower - they all come together in one giant burst of love and encouragement. As a mom, I can assure you that this card will mean as much to Trinitie's parents as it does to Trinitie.

    Well done, my friend. This family is so blessed to have you on their team. :)

    Super HUGS (because I know how hard these cards are to make),

    Nita

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  3. Gorgeous card! Love the image and those flowers are fabulous!
    Thanks for playing along with the Die Cuttin' Divas this week.
    Candy
    candyscraftcorner.blogspot.com

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  4. Your card is absolutely gorgeous your coloring is perfect. This is so pleasing to the eye I love it.

    Thanks for joining my DL.ART Thankful Thursday challenge.
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  5. What a touching story about Trintie, and for sure when she receives this card that you made for her it will bring smiles and many more happy smiles for this cute and precious girl.
    Your card is amazing and beautiful Karen, you have that special touch in putting your projects together... I'm so happy to have found you in my blogging world, you are one inspirational crafter of mines......

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  6. Once again, your project and post brought tears to my eyes!! Karen, this is simply stunning!! The thought and details you put into everything is amazing my sweet friend!! All I can say is WOW!! This is beyond fabulous...you are a card artist!! The design and the way you put the embellishments together is gorgeous!! This will definitely bring happiness to Trinitie :)

    You need to link this up at Paper Playtime...the challenge is to use a die cut and flowers and this fits perfectly!!

    I hope you have a wonderful week :)

    Hugs, Lisa :)

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  7. Wow, beautiful card, lovely embellishments. Thanks for sharing you work with us at Cutie Pie, good luck, cheers Sue N x

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  8. Really pretty card! love the colours and your beautiful image! Thanks for playing at Cutie Pies Woo x

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  9. Wow Karen! This is a beautiful card, made and created by a beautiful soul! I love your cards, I love your heart. You extend God's love to others so wonderfully. Trinitie is going to be so blessed.

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

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  10. Your card is really pretty love the colours and the beautiful image:)

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  11. lovely card, thanks for sharing with CRAFTY CATZ this week, x carol

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  12. What a beautiful card! This will be sure to brighten Trinitie's day! So sweet of you to put so much time and care into each detail! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  13. This is gorgeous Karen!! The sweet little image is adorable and I just love the elegance about it! You have such a wonderful heart and such a caring person. I am sure Trinitie's parents will ne touch by your thoughtfulness. Thanks for sharing my sweet friend!
    Sherrie K
    http:/sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  14. What a sweet card for such a sweet girl. She is going to absolutely love it! I agree, that the card you created for her, really matches her. The colors are so pretty and the image you colored is just so lovely! I know Trinitie will cherish it!

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  15. What a touching story. I love the image. When I first saw the image and a little girl's picture, I thought you sketched the girl. Then I read all the story and got to know. You are thoughtful and sweet to make this perfect card for her. She will love it.
    Your card is perfect for out cutternt challeng on Sentimental Sundays this week. Thanks for joining.
    Hugs-
    Archana
    YouTube- whatamemories

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  16. Beautiful card, love the pretty lilacs!
    Many thanks for joining in the
    ♥Cute Card Thursday Challenge♥
    this week! Debxx

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  17. Karen, your card is beautiful! I love reading your posts. The thought that goes into your cards is amazing. This is just so special. You brought tears to my eyes with this one. Thank you again for all that you do. You are one talented artist and amazing lady.
    Cindy Womack

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  18. This is so pretty! I love the color combination and the little girl is so sweet. You are a very inspirational person and I love that you have such a strong faith in God. My heart goes out to Trinitie. I know she'll love this card. Great job. I look forward to seeing more. I am going to become a follower.

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  19. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I see her!!! OMJ! You didn't tell me that she looked just like your beyond precious stamp!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

    OMJ OMJ OMJ! They could be twins sis! *cries super happy tears of joy*

    Gosh Sunshine...I am crying so much now after reading your beautiful post. Did you know that it is equally as gorgeous as your card? *hugglers every single word you wrote*

    My sweetest sis...this gift will be one that sweet Trinitie will cherish her entire life. Right now, it will be the burst of sparkling love she needs most of all to help with her healing. From it, she will only find more and more inner strength. And as she heals and grows older, this gift will be a forever reminder that she was loved unconditionally through such difficult times...and that it was not only the strength and courage inside her own heart, but also inside those who love her most that helped her sparkle through so amazingly. And most importantly, that it was God's love that helped her heal when she needed it most. Your card is the most perfectly perfect burst of sunshine she needs right now, sis. And you know what? You are hugging her for real. The very second her hands first hold your gift for the very first time, your hugs will leap right out to squisher her something silly!!! SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!

    I'm sooooooooo excited for sweeet little Trinitie!!!!!! Her life is about to become ten billion times more sparklie the second our sweet Karen's huggles leap straight into her heart!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!! I have been trying to guess how old she was since you told me about her, sis. I had a feeling she was around this age. She is a very special one. I can tell by the sparkle in her eyes. God loves her very much and I know He can't wait for the moment when He will deliver my Sunshine's gift to Trinitie. It will be the most special moment ever, sis. I can't even begin to say how proud I am of you always.

    *smoosbers your most gorgeous giving heart forever and always* God bless you always my sweetest sis!!!

    I LOVE YOU SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ~~~Christina :)

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  20. Absolutely darling! So glad you joined us at Cute Card Thursday this week!!!

    Julie

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  21. Beautiful card made with so much love and hope.Wonderful.
    Jayne x

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  22. Your card is gorgeous. I love the image you picked, the way you colored it and how you embellished the card. The little girl will love to receive it. You are so sweet to make it for her.
    Hugs and smiles

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  23. Oh goodness, Karen... Your post made me weep. I've never heard of Trinitie before. What a blessing your card will be to her and to her family - not just because you've made it, but because of all it represents and the prayers that have been lifted for this precious girl as you created her card. Your work is gorgeous, Karen - and so is your message. Thanks for opening your heart as you wrote your post.

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  24. Absolutely stunning. Thanks for joining the Sentimental Sundays Challenge!

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

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