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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Queen of the Sandcastle

Happy Sunday, my treasured friends! I hope you're all doing well. What a busy bee I was last week... not a single crafty moment until this weekend. Thank you for sticking with me, despite my inability to post as often as most!

**EDIT: God had a different purpose for this card, which explains some things that transpired after I posted it at the end of June. It is now for Olivia, who certainly deserves every burst of sunshine possible. She was the one on my heart without me even knowing it. **

This card serves a very special purpose, which made the creative journey especially sweet. This goes beyond princess... she's going straight to Queen!

"Queen of the Sandcastle"
High on my wish list are the Cricut paper doll cartridges, as I adore them. I recently remembered the Playtime cartridge that came with my Cricut and I was so excited. I had forgotten there were sweet kiddos on there. I chose this one to be our sandcastle sweetheart, gave her a happy Peachy Keen face, dressed her in popsicle purple, and then turned to my sparkles for the rest. Her belt is made of deep purple rhinestones, Star Dust covers her shoes, and I altered the Gypsy Wanderings crown to make room for alternating clear and purple rhinestones. The center top point is a heart stone, which is a bit hard to see in the picture. The crown itself is covered in silver Stickles, while the band holding the sparkles matches her dress. (I would totally give the lovely recipient a crown to match every one of her outfits.) Her braids are adorned with bows of Grape Fizz trendy twine, purchased from My Craft Spot. In her hand is a shimmery heart, because this Queen has a heart of (rose) gold.

The sandcastle and sand base are made with Core Couture cardstock, so they're super sparkly. I embossed the bottom for some textural variation. Every sandcastle needs a sparkling moat and since this is for a sweet child, I topped it with an extra-twinkly seashell path. (Yes, I covered the glitter DCWV paper with Star Dust to make it twinkle more.) The castle's flag is lined with rhinestones, as I want to deliver everything sparkly to this strong child. All cuts in this paragraph are from Create a Critter.

When I think of vacation, I think of whimsical nature... so I used my cherished Magnolia butterfly paper to give her a fluttery backdrop to look at during her difficult days. (One 6x6 sheet of the turquoise butterfly paper remains. Can you feel my fear?) I added a couple of Core Couture white butterflies for dimension, placing one atop the castle.

The computer-generated sentiment is printed on My Mind's Eye paper and cut with a Spellbinders Lacey Circle to somewhat appear as a sun with pretty sunbeams dancing along it. The card base is the stamp from Elegant Edges, chosen to be like a vacation postcard postage. :o) I hope and pray this gives her beautiful heart a smile. I love her to pieces.

Challenges entered:
Celebrate the Occasion~ Welcome Summer
Charisma Cardz~ Summer
Getting Cricky~ Summertime
Krafty Girls~ Fun in the Sun

Thank you for visiting me today! I hope you have a gorgeous rest of the weekend. :o)

21 comments:

  1. Love that paperdoll she is one cutie with all her blings.... the sand castle is awesome and so are those flutterby butterflies..... Super fab card Karen... I always can't wait to see what you come up with next.... You are so talented by friend....
    Enjoy your day~

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  2. Karen I wish I could tell you what an inspiration you are...there is no doubt that this sweet little girl is going to "love" this beautiful card . (and yes I could feel the fear as you realize that was your last piece of your butterfly paper).. She looks so adorable in her purple dress with matching hair ties..
    Thank you for always taking the time to stop by and visit me AND for all of your encouraging comments. No need to apologize my sweet friend, GOD knows exactly when I need a little extra encouragement, and He always sends you by just at the right time.. Sometimes we just feel like we can't do anymore in certain situations but God sends people like you to lift us up.. Hugs

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  3. Karen this is so adorable, this little girl will love it. You once again have been so diligent in your ability to pass along the love you have in your heart. Bless you my friend.

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

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  4. Way too cute Karen, love the details, the belt, crown and sand....looks fantastic. Wish that little girl the best and full recovery. You have a heart of gold...love, your Aussie buddy, Annie♥

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  5. Your card is definitely going to cheer up that little girl. All the love you put into shines likes those rhinestones.

    Stay Creative,
    Georgiana
    Carson's Creations

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  6. This is absolutely precious! I love her sparkly crown and all the butterflies. Love the shape of the card too! This will be sure to brighten the sweet little girl's day! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  7. What a cute little Queen! She will love the card and I'm sure it will put a huge smile on her face :) Thanks so much for joining us at Krafty Girls!

    Stacey
    Krafty Girls DT

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  8. Adorable card! I love it. I love your blog and I am a super busy person too and can't post everyday either. But love your work!
    Becka

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  9. This card is so adorable! You have great attention to detail! This cute girl is just adorable with her purple dress:) Thank you for playing along with us at Krafty Girls!
    Maribel

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  10. adorable card. Original shape. Congratulations !

    Thanks for joining us at Charisma Cardz this week.

    Hugs from France.
    Catherine.

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  11. This is so gorgeous Karen.Full of love and sparkle.
    Have a wonderful week my friend.
    Jayne x

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  12. SQUEEEEEEEE!!! *dances along the happy shell moat bridge and races you inside the sparkling castle* WHEEE!!!

    I SOOOOOOOOOOOO LOVE THIS CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints and hugglers every single one of the gorgeous flutterbys*

    OMJ! I simply cannot stop smiling, Sunshine. This card makes my face light up everytime I look at it. I can't even imagine how much joy and healing love it is going to deliver to its brave little recipient. It will make her heart sparkle brighter than the most sparkling Princess and Queen EVER, sis! It is truly the ultimate gift that every little girl dreams of receiving. *hugglers it madly and smiles as I imagine her face when she first sees it* SQUEEE!!!!!!

    I just adore this sweet little Princessy Queen with all my heart, sis. Isn't she just the most adorable little purple cutie you've ever seen?! *pets all the sparklies on her gorgeous crown* You are about to make one extra special little girl's most happy fairy tale dreams come true, Sunshine. God bless you for making her heart flutter through your most incredible gift. I know God will help deliver every single one of your beautiful loving huggles to her...they will help her heal more every single day.

    I LOVE YOU MY SPARKLING PRINCESS DESIGNER!!!

    *forever sparkling sandcastle squishies*
    ~~~ Christina :)

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  13. Oh my dear, sweet friend, this is FABULOUS!! WOW!! As always, the details you put into every project are simply stunning!! Right down to the sea shell path over the moat!! And the princess - gorgeous!! I love her sparkly crown and adorable face!! The butterfly paper is so beautiful...yes, I can feel your fear!! I'd be panicking, too if it were almost gone!! You are sending a burst of sunshine to that sweet little girl :) You are amazing :)

    I hope you are doing well, your family is well, and you are having a great Monday!! Huge hugs!!

    Lisa :)
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  14. I was so enthralled with your card, I forgot to thank you for playing along at Getting Cricky and Krafty Girls!! Thank you my friend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  15. What a sweet shape card, your die-cuts are just fabulous and your overall scene is so adorable! Thanks for joining us this week for our "Welcome Summer" challenge @ CTO :)

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  16. Super sweet card!
    Thanks for playing along with us at Charisma this week.
    Good luck.
    Debs xx

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  17. Your card is just AMAZING and super SWEET!! I just love the scene you have going and the little princess is simply adorable!! That will bring a BIG smile to that little girls face-you are such a sweet and caring person:)
    Also, thanks for being so sweet and keeping in touch with me through this ordeal. It's getting better each day...yay! Take care my friend and hope you have a great evening!
    Sherrie K

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  18. I just wanted to stop by and wish you a wonderful, relaxing weekend my sweetest friend!! I'm sorry I haven't been able to communicate lately...I just can't seem to get caught up and I have an end of August deadline that I am trying to meet. I hope you are doing well and that your family is as well!! You know you all are always in my prayers!! I will email soon to catch up :)

    Giant hugs!! Lisa :)
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  19. Oh Karen, this is so VERY sweet! What a perfect card for a sweet little girl! All of the details are just fantastic and I'm sure she is going to LOVE it!
    Have a SUPER weekend!
    Shelly

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  20. How fun is she! Looks like a great way to spend summer! Lots of fun! Thanks for entering the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge fun!

    Heather Getting Cricky Design Team Member

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  21. So happy that this is going to Olivia!! She will love this. Thank you Karen!! This is so super sweet:) Love that little girl.
    ~Madison

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

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