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Monday, January 21, 2013

50th Anniversary Card for my Parents!

Hello, my dear friends! I hope your week is off to a beautiful start. :o)

There is an incredible event this weekend within my family: my parents' 50th wedding anniversary! It gives me warm fuzzies. They've been together since high school and have been through so much over the years... when the storms come, they persevere. I have no doubt there will be some happy tears from me on Saturday! Being the youngest of five kids, they still refer to me as their little girl. :o)

The inspiration for this card stems around the sweet swans... my dad has swan decor throughout his backyard and he *always* pairs them up just like this! (He's beyond precious.) I thought they would make a wonderful anniversary card. I aimed for sweet and (relatively) streamlined, with touches of whimsy and elegance. My parents make my heart sparkle. :o)
My first card using my Cameo. :o) How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... I fell in love with this flourished hearts background and so badly wanted to use it for this card. The flourishes make me think of waves and with the hearts sprinkled throughout, I just kept thinking "waves of love!" I knew this would be gorgeous for a scrapbook LO or home decor, but I felt I would be pushing it as a card base. There are so many ultra thin parts, especially when scaled down. Since I couldn't stop thinking about it, I gave it a whirl... and the amazing Cameo cut it beautifully as a 5.5-inch square! I was elated! I used Core Couture burgundy paper to replicate sunbeam reflections dancing atop the waves. :o)

The pretty swans:
The gorgeous Sarah Bailey swan file is actually just a silhouette, so I originally planned to hand-cut some feathery wings since I wanted them dimensional. However, I stumbled upon the talented Lisa Barrie who had also used this swan cut. She brilliantly paired it with a file that contains wings, so I happy-danced and did the same. So much quicker than hand-carving! To make these Trumpeter swans, I made them black beaks and used teeny black pearls for their eyes. Since my mom adores pearls, I couldn't resist making a pearly necklace for one. :o) To add a few more 'waves' beneath the swans, I used three from this file since they matched my background perfectly. I lined the thinnest one with tiny sparkles for extra sunbeams. :o) Lastly, I added a Recollections flourish.
The pearlescent white background is embossed with the Swiss Dots folder. The hearts are from the Cheery Lynn Designs Two of Hearts set, which I accented with pearls and layered with pop-dots for dimension. A flower was a must for this card, so I sprayed a white Wild Orchid Crafts rose with Candy Apple Red glimmer mist for color and sparkle. It centers a little bow made with Snow White crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.

The pretty Pink Gem Designs digi sentiment is from their Vintage Occasion set, which I already love. It will get a lot of use. :o) I accented it with three pearls to match the heart and swan. This card was a joy to create as I thought of the extra special celebration... I pray they love it as much as I do. :o) I could wax poetic about the love that went into this card, but I think I'll save it for when I post the gift I'm making them next. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *A Gem of a Challenge~ Emboss It (dry embossing on white base)
 *Card Mania~ Oh, So Girly (hearts, sparkle, flower)
 *Cheery Lynn Designs~ Sweethearts
 *Crafty Ribbons~ Love/Romance/Anniversary
 *Cute Card Thursday~ Diamonds are Forever!
 *DL.Art~ Linky Party
 *Joanna Sheen~ New Beginnings (anniversary)
 *Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday~ Use a Flower
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *My Craft Spot~ Bling it Up!
 *Really Reasonable Ribbon~ Valentine's Day/Love, plus Ribbon
 *The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog~ Use Three Different Textures

Thank you for floating on by! (hehe) I wish you a lovely week of blessings and joy! :o)

41 comments:

  1. You have left me speechless yet again my sweet friend!! This is absolutely stunning!! You should put this in a frame for your parents...it's a work of art!! Wow, that flourish and heart background is gorgeous!! The Core Couture paper was the perfect choice!! And the swans are elegant and so beautiful!! I love the wings!! And how awesome to pair them like your dad does!! And to add the pearl necklace like your mom...those little touches make this so special!! They will absolutely love it (if you don't put it in a frame, I'm sure they will!!) Happy, happy anniversary to them!! I hope they have a wonderful day filled with love and happiness!! And I hope you have a fabulous evening my dear friend!! Huge hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  2. Oh my Karen, I do agree with Lisa this is picture perfect for a frame... Can I suggest that you make one 8 x 12 or 10 x 12 and add their pictures on the background and present them with this as a gift too. I bet your mom would drop a few tears over it... It's really stunning and would look so pretty inside a gorgeous frame....
    TFS - Happy Anniversary to both of them!

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  3. Hi my Angelic friend,
    I hope your day has been filled with lots of Sunshine and if not I am sending you my love & smiles..lol
    Oh!Yes,I agree with Lisa & Shirl aframe would be so Perfect as Perfect as this BEAUTIFUL card!The card is Elegant,Stunning,...A BEAUTY of a Card!!The swans add a touch of Sweetness to your beautiful card.The background is Simply GORGEOUS!!Your words went straight to my heart as always.Your parents will fall in love with this beautiful card as I did!
    Wishing your parents Many,Many Years together filled with lots of LOVE,JOY and Happiness!
    Happy Anniversary to both!
    Sending a HUGE amount of my bloggie love to you & your parents,
    Your angelic friend,
    Migdalia

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  4. Gorgeous! The back ground swirls are just amazing! Congrats to your parents for celebrating such a wonderful milestone! Thanks for joining us over at Little Scrap Pieces! DT Member Carri~Abusybee

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  5. This is so beautiful Karen, I love the cuts and you did a great job! It looks like you and the cameo get along well. The swans are amazing
    Congratualtions to your parents what a milestone.
    Thanks for joing us at LSP and
    Thank you for joining my DL.ART Thankful Thursday Anything Goes January Linky Party
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  6. This is stunning, Karen. Your layout and the colours and those swans - it's a work of art. So elegant and full of love in every way. Congrats to your parents on their Golden Anniversary. I expect many tears on the weekend, tears of love. Can't wait to see what you have made them.

    Hugs, Karon

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  7. Hello Karen
    Your card is stunning. Reading all your other comments, I am in total agreement, your card would look so beautiful in a frame. The love you have put into making this is clear to see. I adore those swans, they are elegant and romantic. Your detailing is just wonderful. This is indeed a very special card for a very special occasion and I am certain that it will be treasured.
    Hugs to you my kind and sweet friend, I hope you have a sparkly and blessed week. Sue

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  8. Ahhhh!!! So gorgeous Karen!!! So happy you had a wonderful celebration! I love how detailed and descriptive you are with decribing your card , it couldn't have been said better and I can just feel the love. I am so in love with the swans and the background!!!!!! I have been thinking to come visit you for days now and I wanted to drop in and tell you that I miss you .. oh and I didn't post again today due to major technical difficulites with my websites and email program.. I am getting close to having it fixed up.. the website is manageable for now. Just know I am thinking of you, hugs

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  9. Pretty creation Karen,
    Thanks for sharing with us at crafty ribbons
    Hugs Kelly

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  10. WOW!!!!!! Karen this is unbelievable a work of art:) It is so amazing and I just LOVE the flourished hearts background and the sweet doves:) I love the pearl necklace to...so many awesome details my friend! I just love stories like this ...congrats to your parents of 50 yrs!!! That is amazing and I am sure your heart will be dancing with JOY on their special occasion as you all celebrate!
    What a GORGEOUS job on your first project with the Cameo!
    Love, love!
    Have a sparkly day and thanks so much for joining us at My Craft Spot!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com
    DT Memeber

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  11. Also, thanks for linking this beautiful creation with us at Little Scrap Pieces too!
    Sherrie K

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  12. 50 years.. i am sure your parents are still as in love as when they first met... :-) AND what a blessing you have been to them. Your card is simply GORGEOUS, they will love it. AND thank you for putting the link to where you got the files to make your BEAUTIFUL card. I would love to stay and visit some, but i am not feeling very well, i might be coming down with that awful bug. But wanted to stop in an say "hello"
    hugs from ukiah

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  13. Absolutely fabulous card! I love it! Thanks so much for playing along at Card Mania! Good luck and hope you'll join us again with our next challenge too! Hugs, Ani

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  14. Hi Karen wow you have made a lovely keepsake for your parents..this cut out is stunning..love the E/bossing so suttle..

    Thanks for sharing with us at AGOAC this wk.

    smiles Christine x

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  15. Awwwww this card is just so pretty xx

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  16. Absolutely fabulous card! Thanks so much for playing along at Card Mania!

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  17. This is just stunning, I love the pretty background and the swans look fantastic! Congrats to your parents! Thanks for joining us at Joanna Sheen.
    Natx

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  18. wow, stunning, love the background!
    Many thanks for joining in the
    ♥Cute Card Thursday Challenge♥
    this week! Debxx

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  19. This is beyond beautiful! Your parents will love it for sure! TFS!!

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  20. Karen what an amazing milestone! My parents had their 50th a few years back my 2 brothers and my sister all flew to Florida to surprize them they were speehless. Your card is stunning a wonderful tribute to their love. Karen

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  21. This card is amazing, Karen! You are rockin' the Cameo! The heart background is so pretty and the swans are so sweet! All the details you added are just perfect! I'm sure your parents are going to cherish this card. Congrats on their 50th anniversary! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  22. Visiting from DLART Linky Party. The Swans are bee-utiful. Friend of mine has a Cameo & likes it better than the Cricut.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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  23. Oh my Karen, this is so pretty! I love the swans and definitely have to get a Cameo now. ;) Your mom and dad will love this card!!! I enjoyed reading your post and I hope they have a very "Happy 50th Anniversary" and enjoy many more years together!

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  24. Congratulations to your parents Karen..what a wonderful anniversary milestone!
    Your card is stunning,such a beautiful work of art.Love the background and how you added the pearl necklace to the swan.
    hugs
    Jayne x

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  25. Such a beautiful card for such a special occasion, I'm sure it'll be very well received. Thanks for joining us at Cutie Pie xx

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  26. Wow this card is spectacular - I love all the beautiful details you were able to create using your Silhouette. For some reason, I hardly use mine, but now I'm inspired. Thanks for sharing this with us at Really Reasonable Ribbon - one of my faves! - Vivian

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  27. I saw it on MIM. What a sweet card. It's so nice to know that there are still people out there that have been together so long. I love the flourishes on this card and the fact that it means so much to you and will mean so much to your parents. Happy 50th to them.

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  28. Karen, this is so pretty! I'm sure your parents will love it! Thanks so much for joining us at the Cheery Lynn Designs challenge and good luck.
    Hugs,
    Gini

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  29. Beautiful card and congratulations to your parents. Good luck and thanks for joining in on the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs challenge blog.

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  30. Such a pretty card! Your parents will LOVE it! Thanks so much for playing along with our challenge this week at Cheery Lynn Designs!

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  31. Fab card,Dear!LOve it!Thanks so much for sharing with us at Card Mania!

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  32. A really beautiful card. Saw you on MIM and came over for a closer look. Hugs Mrs A.

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  33. Lovely card! Love the dimension!!
    Thank you for sharing with us at Really Reasonable Ribbon!!
    Hugs
    Heather

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  34. Wow...congratulations to your parents. This is such a beautiful card. Love the fabulous diecut. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Make It Monday this week... :)

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  35. Such a beautiful precious card, your parent will treasure it.
    . Thank you for joining the Cutie Pies texture challenge and good luck x Susan x

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  36. Congratulations again! And congratulations on your Cameo too! How fun!

    Your card is delightful! And how wonderful that you used swans, given your dad's love of them. I LOVE the wonderful way you've done the wings. The details on your card are fabulous!

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  37. SQUEEEEEEEEE!!! *is beyond excited because of all the gorgeous messages and hugglers my Sunshine's bloggy friends have left for her sweet parents and her cardness* YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WEEK TO MY SUNSHINE'S PRECIOUS PARENTS! WHEEEEEEEEEE!!! *hugglers you all something fierce*

    I would have given anything to be there for real to watch them open this card, Sunshine. I know without question that it meant more to them than anything they have ever received. Every single little detail and accent represents so much of the gorgeous love they share sis. Only a heart as stunning as yours would create something that holds so much meaning. *hugglers you oodles and noodles for being the best daughter EVER*

    Did you know that you make their hearts sparkle more and more and more every single second sis? You are the sparkliest blessing they have ever been blessed with. I love you all with my entire heart, sis. May God bless you all for 50 billion zillion years more and always with endless love, happiness, rainbows and sparklies.

    *forever sparkling swanness squishies for my precious sis and her sweetest parents*
    ~~~ Christina

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  38. Absolutely gorgeous!!!!! I love your beautiful swans and the background cut is amazing! Makes me want a Cameo! lol. Thanks for joining the fun at My Craft Spot!

    Kimberly

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  39. Gorgeous card Karen, I love the die cut background, stunning, and the swans and glitter and bling are perfect :-) i am sure your parents loved this :-)

    thanks for joining us on the Crafty Ribbons Challenge
    luv
    Lols x x x

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  40. Wow...this is such a gorgeous card. Love the beautiful embossed background and diecut. The swans are just fabulous! Thank you so much for joining us at Make It Monday this week. ^_^

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  41. Hi,
    Anniversary is celebrated to cherish long years of togetherness.Cardwale customized greeting cards of parents, family and friends are the best way to show your affection.For more detail please visit here:-http://www.cardwale.com/

    ReplyDelete

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

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