Sunday, July 29, 2012

Ellie's Birthday Card

My good friend, Ellie, is having a birthday on August 6. But she and I are having lunch on Tuesday, so I thought I would give her birthday card to her then instead of waiting. (Besides, it's much easier to hand-deliver the cards I make than it is to mail them!) So, Ellie, if you are reading this before we have lunch, proceed at your own risk. Of course, if you want to see your card before you open it, by all means, keep reading! ;^)

Before I get to Ellie's card there are a couple of items I would like to mention.

First, I want to thank all of you for your well-wishes for my sister, Merrilyn. Her surgery last Tuesday went very well, and she felt great that night. However, not so much on Wednesday or Thursday. She had quite the reaction to all the anesthesia and pain medication she received. So she was sick to her stomach, (that's a nice way of saying she puked her guts out--oh, did I just say that?), on Wednesday and Thursday. She was able to proceed with her physical therapy in spite of her nausea, and really doesn't remember much about being ill. Sometimes drugs are wonderful. They help you forget those nasty bits you don't want to keep in your memory! The hospital finally got everything regulated, and Merrilyn went home o Friday feeling pretty good. She says her knee hurts, but not any more than it did before her surgery. And this pain will go away eventually. So she is a happy camper, albeit one who sleeps at the drop of a hat now.

BTW, her therapist told her that she was doing remarkably well with her walking and her exercises. I told you she built up her leg muscles by swimming, and it really has paid off for her. My other sister is attempting to do the very same thing before her surgery in September. I wish her every success, because that will make her recovery easier, too! 

I would also like to mention that I read two books this week that were really great reads. Both are selections by Suzanne Dean for her Bookendz Book Club this month. I needed to get them read quickly as the month is about over! The first book, very well-written, is The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas, which I really loved. The second book is Promises to Keep by Jane Green, which is also very well-written, but can be a bit of a tear-jerker. Just sayin'. So, beware if you cannot deal with angst.

To the right of the beginning of this post, (no, your other right), is a short video for a blog giveaway by Darlene Lyons at Scrappy Dues. Check it out; she has 200+ followers now, and she is celebrating by giving us the chance to win some great stuff!

OK, on to Ellie's card. I picked out this digital image in the middle of March. I fell in love with it, as I have with all the Saturated Canary images. But I bought it because it is called Ellie's Birthday, and I wanted to use it for Ellie's card! It is just lucky that I remembered this plan of mine four months later. The old grey mare just ain't what she used to be and neither is her memory! Gosh, that was a bit snarky, wasn't it? Good thing I was talking about myself and not one of you! Where was I? Oh, yeah, Ellie's card. So I picked out a Create with TLC sentiment that I thought would go with the SC image. Both the image and the sentiment were printed out on Cryogen CS.

My paper choice is from the Basic Grey Life of the Party collection. And I paired it with some Stampin' Up CS. I added flowers, a stick pin, and a crown pin from Wild Orchid Crafts, some baker's twine from SU, bow die cuts from a Cheery Lynn die, a Tim Holtz Adage Ticket and Mini Paper Clip, and some cheesecloth. Just because I could. And I liked it. So there. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Or not.

I colored the image and the sentiment with my Copics: YR000, YR12, YR14, YR16, B000, B91, B95, B97, B99, E000, E00, E11, E13, E25, E31, E50. I added some Glossy Accents to Ellie's eyes and lips. I was planning to add some to the balloons, but chose not to because of the hair hanging in front of one of them. I felt I would make a mess of that, so I chickened out. And too bad if you think I should have done it anyway. Why don't you just come on over to my house and do it for me? My eyesight just isn't what it once was. Pffffft!!! Oh, and I did manage to accent the image with a bit of white gel pen. I think that should just about do it for this episode.

I am going to enter this card into the following:


Here's wishing everyone everywhere a wonderful week. And, if you're watching, enjoy the Olympics!

27 comments:

  1. Wonderful birthday card, Penny, great desing and fabulous coloring. Good luck and thanks for joining in on the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs challenge blog.

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  2. Always love your posts, Penny! Always love your cards, too! These are no exception! So glad your sister did well and is working on her recovery now. Thanks for your book recommendations. I have a list I need to work through now. Back to your card - fantastic coloring and design!

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  3. Your posts crack me up. They remind me of me. Which is a good thing or not, depending on something. I have a feeling we'd probably get along smashingly in real life. Either that or hate each other.

    Ha.

    I'm glad your sister is doing well, except for the puking part. Some of the pain meds and sedatives cause selective amnesia. I hope she continues to mend quickly and make good progress towards full recovery.

    Your card is fabulous. But they always are...

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  4. Ooooh this is simply stunning Penny! I love the beautiful image and all of those details are gorgeous...Beautiful work! :)

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  5. I Love this image and design...the colors are amazing
    So glad you could share with us at
    Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge

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  6. Hello Penny,

    this card is wonderful! I love the image - it`s pretty cool!

    Hugs,
    Conny

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  7. Hi Penny!
    I found you on Outlawz and commented there how wonderful your card is, now that I've perused your site - I'm truly in love with your card making style! You make seriously amazing cards.

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  8. Fabulous card Panny and so glad to hear your sister is on the road to recovery! I'm with you - you have to use a digi ofr a birthday card if it bears the same name as the recipient :) Good job you're hand delivering it as you wouldn't want any of the gorgeous embellishments to get squished !

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  9. Your card is gorgeous, and you are right...I can't imagine mailing your cards without a huge postage bill. It will be wonderful to see her expression when she receives also. Have fun.

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  10. Penny, Really happy your sis is better now and pray your other sister's surgery ends up just as well. I am always happy to read your post, They are always full of humor. Your card is gorgeous and you are amazing with those copics, I like the way you match your paper and embellishments to the colored image (so beautiful). Hugs

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  11. Gorgeous card Penny, love your design, colours and gorgeous image. Thanks for playing along over at Fashionista this month and good luck. Carolxx

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  12. Wow, love this gorgeous creation, fabulous colours! Thanks for joining us at Divas!
    Helen x

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  13. Wow!! This is such an awesome card Penny. The coloring is beautiful, the colors beautiful and the design is fabulous. You did a great job on this goreous card..Love it!!

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  14. Oh WOW this is absolutely stunning.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamps Challenge.
    luv
    Debby

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  15. Gorgeous colourful card and lovely colouring and details...thanks for joining the Divas!
    xxx Margreet

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  16. Totally fabby card - love the lush colours xx Thanks for playing at Inky Impressions xx

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  17. your bright colours are fab! Thanks so much for playing at Divas this wk hugs Rebekah xxx

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  18. Penny, your card is fabulous - so bright and cheerful and now I know why I didn't throw out my used (cleaned) cheesecloth after making my first batch of cheese.

    I'm glad to hear your sister is recovering. I have had reactions like that to anesthesia in the past. The first time I was pregnant and I DO remember - big time. Thanks be to God, my baby came through fine and is now 34 years old. :)

    I really enjoy your blog posts. Your writing style is very personable and fun to read.

    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  19. This is such a gorgeous card Penny. Love this image and your colouring is fabulous.
    Love and hugs Sharon. x

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  20. Stunning card. Love the image & colours. Thanks for joining us at Inky Impressions.
    Kerry

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  21. A beautiful card. Love your colouring. Simply stunning

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  22. Penny this is beautiful what a fabulous card , I love all the embellishments they are wonderful well done Hugs Elaine

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  23. Best oldest sister BarbaraAugust 1, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Another smash hit Penny!! I'll bet Ellie loved it.. hi to her next time you see her. I must tell you though, IF you send me a get well card (hint, hint) Please don't put all those embellishments on it, try to keep the cost down. Kidding of course (you'll do it anyway). Love you AND love to read the blog and the beautiful cards!!!

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  24. This card is beyond amazing!! I love it and I must tell all of you who read Penny's blog that this card, in person, is even more adorable! Thank you Penny for starting my birthday off on a very high note!! Hugs to you dear friend!!

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  25. Hi Penny,
    Absolutely gorgeous design. I love the colours you have used.
    Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs
    Lisa
    P.S I have blog candy if you're interested :)
    http://dreamtimedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

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  26. Lovely card, beautiful layout and gorgeous colours!
    Thanks for joining us at the fashionista challenge, good luck.
    Gr. Samantha

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  27. Such a fun, bright, cheery card, Mom! And I love the touch of cheesecloth. Great use of it!

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Thank you for visiting my blog! I appreciate the kind comments more than I can say! :^)
Hugs, Penny