Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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!

25 comments:

  1. Your posts crack me up.

    Great card. I love the coloring, design, and all the details.

    I hope her surgery goes well. They do give you good drugs for that one. I also hope her recovery and physical therapy go well.

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  2. What a perfect card for knee surgery - love that sentiment! Your coloring is gorgeous and your card is just adorable. Your sister will love it I'm sure. Hope she has a good recovery, and gets some wonderful therapy.

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  3. Penny, I do hope your sister is doing fine. Having the weight off will help her. I had a knee replacement in August 2003 and it was the best thing I did but it takes a while to get back to yourself and I hear now it is even easier, I hope so.
    I'm sure when she see her stunning get well card that is going to make her happy. You did an outstanding job and I love the colors. I had a chance to meet Krista at CHA last week and she is a really nice person. I love your coloring, I do have to say you out did yourself on her hair and her dress are just beautiful. That sentiment is just to funny, perfect for your sister. All the embellishments are so amazing, love all of them.
    Hugs, Patricia

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  4. Fab card Penny! Love the image and the colours! I'm sure your sister will love it!

    Sarah x

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  5. What a greatcard! Having two sisters too I also appreciate the humor in your post! I love the image and how she is colored and, oh my, you do have such great "dies" here... Thanks so much for playing with us at Stamptacular Sundays. We are so excited to add a new feature to our challenges- each week there will be "Top 3 Winners" in addition to the random prize drawing! We hope you join us again next week for another great challenge, prizes and a chance to be on our Top 3 list! Good Luck! xxx Ann Marie

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  6. Penny, hope your sister's surgery went very good and she is doing great this evening. Your card is gorgeous, as always the coloring is over the top. Beautiful job on the design too. Love your card.

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  7. awe...this design is so sweet! Great job with your coloring! Penny, you are really talented!
    You should try out to be a guest designer with us at 7 Kids College Fund :)

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  8. I love this sketch !! and the card is fab. TFS Hugs !

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  9. Awesome Penny! The colours are simply awesome...really great job :)

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  10. Gorgeous card...your sister is gonna love it! Hope she is doing okay now x
    Thanks for joining us at SC Challenges xx

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  11. Hiyah Penny.
    oh hun I hope your sister is feeling ok and not too sore from surgery.
    Your card is just stunning hun, I love the zombie you chose....feel like one of them myself this morning!!
    thank you so much for popping in and sharing it with us over on the saturated canary challenge blog
    hugs Lou xx

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  12. Gorgeous card, I love the colour combo! Great colouring too! Thanks so much for joining us at Sketch Saturday this week, hope to see you again soon! x

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  13. Fabulous get well card for your sister, Penny. I love how the cat's tail is wrapping around the girl's knee, as though lending some comfort.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  14. Hope your sister's surgery went well. This is a fantastic card. Your coloring is outstanding, and your flowers and embellies are beautiful. Wonderful sentiment! Thanks so much for joining us at The Corrosive Challenge.

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  15. OMW, Penny this card ROCKS. I love that sentiment.

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  16. Hey sweetie this is absolutely gorgeous, huggles Pops x x x

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  17. all my best to your sister, your card is super cute...have a great weekend! My birthday is Sunday and to celebrate I am giving away gifts on my blog, just leave a comment for your chance to win!

    http://paperieblooms.blogspot.com/2012/07/mojo-mondaymojo251-birthday-blog-party.html

    enjoy *~*

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  18. I love the image- your coloring is awesome! I LOVE the dies and the stick pins. Oh your poor sister- this sentiment is perfect- I hope her surgery went well and that she recovers with minimal discomfort!

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  19. fun Images with a cool eyes...and agree your coloring is so lovely...lovely flower and great use the sketch...adorable card...good luck with the challenge :)

    I am also joining the Craft your passion challenges, my card is Nr. 30, would you mind to see it on my blog and would be so glad if you like to leave me some love :), many thanks before...hugs, Monika

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  20. Sure hope all went well with surgery...admire her getting herself ready like that!
    Your card is awesome...sentiment couldn't be more perfect LOL and love this image and your coloring!!!
    This brings a smile for sure (-:

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  21. beautiful card...love the corner die. The white flowers are a great touch! Thanks for playing at Stamptacular Sunday.

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  22. Wonderful card for your sister.Love the blues with the black and white.Beautiful flowers too.Thanks for joining us at Craft Your Passion.Hope to see you again next week :D
    Lisa x

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  23. Gorgeous card, love the black and white with blue colour combo, also love the sentiment. Thanks for joining our Saturated Canary Challenge. Hope your Sister's surgery went well and she is on the road to recovery.
    Caz
    x

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  24. Thanks for joining us at the Corrosive Challenge for our "Cheeky, Saucy, Sassy" challenge. Good luck and please join us again for future challenges. xx Rachelle CC DT

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