Merrilyn's Get Well Card

My sister, Merrilyn, is having knee replacement surgery today. I know she is really anxious about it, (who wouldn't be?), but I also know she will do just fine. She has done an amazing job this past year of getting ready for her surgery. She took off a great deal of weight by swimming for an hour every day, and by changing her diet completely. She eats healthful foods and enjoys what she eats. (Geesh, wish I could say that!) So she has strengthened her leg muscles and reduced the pressure on her knees, which is really going to help her recover more quickly. And she will be so happy to walk like a normal person again! 

BTW, she is not the only sister who is having knee replacement surgery. My other sister, Barbara, will be having hers in September. Kinda like when it rains, it pours, right?! But don't look for me to be having that surgery any time soon. My knees are doing just fine, thank you very much! Besides, I am much younger than both of my sisters! (Let's see how soon I hear about that crack!) These siblings do keep me busy making cards!

I certainly couldn't do a CAS card for Merrilyn. She likes the layered ones; says she likes them better in person so she can see the 3-d effect. I would hate to disappoint her in her hour of need. Therefore, she is getting a layered card. (Yeah, like that's the only reason I would do a layered card. Riiiiight!)

OK, well I looked at different challenges for some inspiration and, boy howdy, I surely did find it! One challenge, Sketch Saturday, gave me the basic sketch, which I tried to stick to, really I did! And two other challenges, Saturated Canary and Craft Your Passion, gave me the color scheme, which is black and white plus one other color. Another challenge, Stamptacular Sunday, calls for two or more dies, and just when do I not use two or more? For that challenge I just hit the Staples Easy button. (Is that ad even on TV anymore?) A fifth challenge, CMC Copic Challenge, called for anything goes with a girly twist. OK, that one really had me stumped. Oh, just kidding. And the last challenge, The Corrosive Challenge, calls for something cheeky, saucy, or sassy. So I felt my Saturated Canary image, Zombie Niamh, along with my Create with TLC sentiment would fit that bill rather nicely. It should be fairly simple for me to be a bit cheeky, saucy, and sassy, don't you think? At least my parents certainly thought so years ago. But that's another story for another time. Or not.

Here is the sketch I tried my best to follow:

I printed the image and the sentiment on Cryogen CS. I chose Authentique Journey patterned paper, which I paired with Stampin' Up CS. I used the following dies: Spellbinders Circles and Scalloped Circles, and Cheery Lynn's Lace Corner Deco B. My flowers are from Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts. The stick pins are WOC. I applied glossy accents to the eyes of Niamh and her cat, as well as to the cat's nose. I added Stickles to Niamh's hair bands, lips, and the heart on her stocking. And, as usual, I accented the image with a little white gel pen. The image was (shockingly) colored with Copics: R20, E0000, E000, E00, E11, E13, B0000, B000, B91, B93, B95, C00, C0, C2, C3, C5, C7, C9.

 

I will be giving it to Merrilyn today after her surgery, but I doubt that she will even know that I did. She will still be under the effects of the anesthesia, I would imagine. Which could make for an interesting conversation, if I play my cards right. And my sister, Barbara, who is arriving today for our sister's surgery, will probably play along with me! Oh, look out, Merrilyn!

In case you are looking for a good book to devour, I just finished The Rose Garden, by Susanna Kearsley. (It was recommended by my soon-to-be robo-sister, Merrilyn. Ha, wait 'til she reads that comment! My name is Mud.)

Wishing you a wonderful week!