Saturday, August 25, 2012

Carol's Birthday Card 2012

I don't know if I have told you about my eyes. They're fairly small, blue, and one eyelid hangs lower than the other. Uneven eyes. But that's not important right now. What is important is that I don't see well enough to stay within the lines when coloring unless I use a magnifying light source. And I have one of those. I bet you know where this is going already, don't you?

Yup. As I was coloring the image for Carol's card on Thursday, the light bulb burned out on my magnifying light. This was another one of those wonderful "%^$&**#$%$^%#**#&$*#&$**#&#^#%" moments. You see, I did not buy a spare bulb when I bought the lamp. And why not? Don't ask me. Ask my dim-wit alter ego. I have no idea. (I have realized that I am not the brightest bulb on the planet--every pun intended.) OK, so now what? Well, I had to use another desk lamp while looking through the magnifier, which really didn't work very well. I am telling you this because this image is not my best work. But, it will have to do. Because my new bulb wouldn't arrive in time to finish this card.

I needed the card to be done by today so I could give it to Carol tonight at dinner. We'll be seeing Carol and her hubby, John, at the dinner club get-together tonight in Scottsdale. Apparently we are eating at a bank. Or what used to be a bank. It's called The Mint. I'm intrigued to try it, and, of course, I will report back with another of my alter egos, the food critic. Honestly, I have so many alter egos I think I have multiple personality disorder. But that's not important right now either.

On to the card. (Minus the coloring, if you don't mind.) Carol is such a dear friend of ours. We have known her hubby, (John), since he, Gary, and I went to the U of Minnesota back in the 70's. That was after John and Gary got out of the military and went to college on the GI bill. When Gary graduated we moved out to AZ, and I finished school at ASU. John was six months behind Gary in school. When he graduated he moved out here, too. And Carol and John found each other again, (long story) and got married. And then Gary and I met Carol. And Bob and Ted and Alice. Oh, no, not really. Just Alice. No, not even her. Just John and Carol. (Anybody remember that movie besides me?)

Carol is a regular nut. As opposed to being an irregular nut. She has a crazy sense of humor, which is no doubt why we get along so well together. And we share a love of jewelry that knows no bounds. Which is why I chose this Create with TLC sentiment for her card. Even before I chose an image. I just knew that the sentiment totally fit her, (and me, but that's beside the point). Oh, and it cracks me up. And I digress again. Sigh...

Back to the card: my design is based upon a sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday:


I picked a Saturated Canary image called "Fancy", (which I think was once a freebie), to go with this sentiment. I knew I could sparkle her up for Carol. (Yeah, that was before my light burned out. Hard to sparkle with a Spica pen and Stickles when you can't see what you are sparkling. But I digress yet again. So sorry.)

I printed Fancy on Copic X-Press It CS. The rest of the CS is from Stampin' Up. My DSP is from the BoBunny Smoochable Collection. I used several dies on this card: Spellbinders Classic Squares and Lacey Circles, Cheery Lynn Sofia's Heart Doily and Lace Corner Deco B, MFT small leafy flourish, Magnolia Doohickey flourish, and Memory Box Tender Leaves. The flowers are from Maya Road Trinkets Ruffle Blossoms. The stick pins are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I have added a Tim Holtz Bauble and some tiny charms I had in my stash. I colored some ribbon and lace with my Copic inks and added them along with a bit of tulle. Stickles were used on the circle, the corner die cuts, and the dots in Fancy's hair. A clear Copic Spica pen was used on her lips and the daisy-like flowers on the image. I applied Glossy Accents to her eyes and accented her with a white gel pen. I rubbed a little SU ink around the image. The image was colored (!**&*&!*&^%*&^%$**) with my Copics: G40, G43, RV0000, RV21, RV23, E000, E00, E11, E53, E55, E57.

I am entering this card into a few challenges, just because so much eye-strain went into it. They are:

Cheery Lynn Doily Challenge
Divas by Design Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter Anything Goes
Saturated Canary Color Photo Inspiration
Stamptacular Sunday Let's Hear it for the Girls
Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Hope you are having a great weekend!



33 comments:

  1. I don't think not having the correct lighting did any harm at all. This is gorgeous Penny and the colouring is fabulous. Love your layout and gorgeous pins.
    Hugs Sharon. x

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  2. my gosh, if this is what you do when the bulb is burned out, then by all means don't buy a replacement! this is absolutely gorgeous!!! your friend is going to LOVE it! everything about it is stunning!

    have a great time at dinner. I'm excited to hear about the restaurant. it sounds pretty cool! :)

    enjoy the rest of your weekend! and thanks for so many encouraging comments on my blog. :)

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  3. beautiful card!! love all the layers! Good Luck and thanks for joining in the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs!

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  4. What a wonderful card! So much eye candy, loving all the embellishments and your FAB coloring. Thanks for joining us at SSW.
    Hugs, Heide SSW-DT

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  5. Absolutely beautiful Penny!! What a gorgeous design...so many beautiful die cuts and I just love all of those pinks. Beautiful work! :)

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  6. Oh my word, Penny! I didn't know what I was going to see while reading your post. But I patiently read through and didn't even scroll right to your creation! And then, as always, you presented the most gorgeous card! Love the layout and image and wonderful coloring and bling! Let me say that there is no way I could color, or anything else, without my lights! Fantastic card! I am sure Carol will be thrilled to receive it!

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  7. Penny, I loved reading your post, thanks for all the chuckles and I think you did a fabulous job coloring Fancy. Your card is amazing and I am certain it will be a hit. Good luck and thanks for joining in on the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs challenge blog.

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  8. Absolutely stunning card. I love the lacy dies in the background. Beautifully done! Thanks for sharing your card with us.
    Nancy SSW-DT

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  9. Beautifully done- the coloring is lovely (love her hair and the beautiful pink!). I hope you have a fantastic time at dinner and that the food does not fill up your stomach but empty your 'Bank' account!

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  10. This is simply beautiful.. Love the details.. very lovely work as always..

    So happy that you have joined us at TPS and good luck......

    Hugs
    Judith

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  11. What a beautiful design
    So glad you could share with us at
    Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge

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  12. Wowza, this is absolutely stunning!!! A truly beautiful card!! Thanks for joining us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

    Linda

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  13. Hi Penny, what a fun post - made me smile reading it! I don't think you need the light / bulb, the colouring looks perfect to me as does the card.

    Hope you had a fab meal out.

    Thanks for joining in with us this week at Divas by Design.

    Sarah

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  14. Are you nuts? (I guess your post answered that already). You're way too hard on yourself!

    This is beautifully colored, even more so because you used the persnickety R series so very well. I also love her hair and love the sparkly bits in it.

    The card itself is beautifully designed. I love the way you use die cuts and embellishments. There are so many fantastic detailed touches, yet the focus remains on that gorgeous image.

    I bet Carol (and Ted and Alice and all of your alter-egos) loved the card. I know I do. My birthday is coming up. Just sayin'.

    BTW, I have eye issues too, so I know how you feel. Mostly I just take off my glasses and become one with the paper while I color. The only problem with that approach is that I airbrushed my glasses. Oops. The bulb for my magnifying OTT lamp burned out and I had a new one. Only problem is that I can't figure out how to get the old bulb out and put in a new one. For real. Snicker.

    So, I love the card and think you're (delightfully) insane.



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  15. Another gorgeous creation Penny, even without your magic light!! Love all the twirly flourishes and your colouring looks superb as always :)

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  16. This is absolutely gorgeous! Everything about it is just stunning! Thanks so much for joining us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

    Peace & Luv,
    Jeannie

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  17. SHe is just beautiful.. just getting to visit my visitors.. we get so busy that we don't often get a chance to visit back and here I am finally!! I just love this image and I love the pinks you chose.. All of the elements, especially that doily, make the image so stand out.. and by the way, you will LOVE the Make it Colour paper! Let me know how it works... Hugs, Ann Marie!

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  18. Penny, Wowzie girl this is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S! Your coloring is right on and the flowers, stick pins, ribbon, die cuts are all beautifully layered! Your g/f had to gasp when she saw it! Hugz g/f

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  19. Wow Penny your card is totally gorgeous I love every little bit about it. Great image from Saturated Canary and I love the pink shade you've used. Oh and your embellishments are totally out of this world it's such a beautiful card. Great card and thanks so much for sharing it with us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and good luck.
    Hugs
    Kathie SSW-DT

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  20. Despite the loss of your light source, this is gorgeous Penny! I know your friend will treasure this work of art.

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  21. Hi Penny!

    Wow.. This is really, really beautiful!! All these lovely details you put on the card - fantastic!!

    Hugs,
    Conny

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  22. Ohhhhhh Penny, I love this card. That is one of my favorite sentiments too.

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  23. Well if this is what you do without seeing too well, I can't wait to see what you do when your lamp is working! This is stunning and your coloring is spectacular in bringing this adorable image to life. I am enthralled with all your beautiful details and embellishments. Terrific job with sketch and thanks for playing along with us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday!
    Sharon, SSW DT

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  24. So gorgeous and lacy, Penny. Your coloring is perfect.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  25. This is just beautiful... beautiful image and PERFECTLY embellished!!!

    Thanks for sharing your creations with the Diva's this week!

    Rina Fashionista

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  26. WOW Penny its absolutely beautiful well done a super card Hugs Elaine

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  27. Gorgeous card I love all the embellies & decoration.

    Thank you for joining us girlies over at Saturated Canary, hope you will join us again.

    Lotsa hugs Vicky xxx

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  28. What a sweet card. Love your colors and that doily is just so pretty. Have a sweet day!!! Arlana@SSW!!

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  29. This card is so lovely and beautiful, danity and perfect for the special person. Thanks for your visit and sweet luv. Hugs.

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  30. WOW!!!! Just love this wonderful card. I can't believe I missed all these cards. Love these colors, I try and stay away from the pinks (do not like copics colors) but I will have to try your combo. Love all your layers and your coloring is awesome. Fantastic flowers, die cuts, your pins are wonderful, love the lace, you went all out on this card, it is amazing.
    Hugs

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  31. Beautiful!You have done a grand job!!
    Thanks for joining us at SC Challenges!

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  32. Penny, this is a very beautiful card. the pinks are soft and lovely. beautifully gorgeous to have. Thanks for your visit and leaving the luv. Hugs.

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  33. Very cute card! That jewelry is the perfect touch, and I love how you did the flourishes.

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