Followers

8/24/2014

Christmas Card Club -

Good afternoon, and it's my turn to select the theme for our Christmas Club group challenge. Don't think it's a surprise that the cardinal is my favorite bird; they're also very Christmas-y. Any bird could be selected for the theme though and here's what I created for the challenge.

Before I get started, let me say we've been experiencing intermittent internet problems. Our internet & telephone service was down pretty much all day yesterday, & has been fussy today too, so I'm behind in my visiting. I WILL catch up as soon as possible. So don't give up on me!


- Our Daily Bread Designs cardinal stamp, colored with copics, WoS pens for some glimmer, which of course the photo doesn't show. The pens are very nice to use for tiny spaces and easier to control than the brushes are.

-  Sizzix Regal Label die (559202) for the image. Faux mat cut with the same size die from red glitter paper.

- Design paper from MME 'Tis the Season 6x6 pack. Border from S/B Brackets 2 die - the positive shape on the lower edge. Flipped the leftover piece and used that at the top edge. Old lace and some gold trim cover the join. This paper is the back design of the same paper used on the card front.

- card base is Recollection red from a sales pack (5 for $10) at Michael's. The 5.5 x 5.5 card size fit the die cut of the card design without making it look too crowded as would have my usual 4.25 x 5.5 size.

- Sentiment is BoBunny Noel Clearly Stamps (SN683). Used Delicata gold to ink, then heat embossed with Ranger clear fine detail EP. I'm not real happy with the way this turned out. I wanted to emphasize the gold trim. Think clear embossing, heat embossing with Ranger's Queen Gold would have shown up better. Oh well.

Please do check out the other Christmas Club members inspiring cards. Their links are in the side bar.

Also, please don't forget to visit Brenda, Veerle  and Irish Cherokee's The Creative Blog Hop posts tomorrow. I think you'll find that it's lots of fun getting to know more about these 3 extremely talented card makers.

Thanks for visiting this afternoon. Have a Blessed day! Hugs

44 comments:

  1. A really beautiful card Mary and thank you for the challenge - I love using bird stamps and images so I really enjoyed it.
    Although I have never seen one of these IRL it is a very beautiful creature.
    I love that stamp and you have coloured him beautifully love the paper and the dies you used too Karen x

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  2. Fabulous image and fabulous card Mary! Not sure if this comment will be accepted but I can but try! Hugs Christine xx

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  3. It's a beautiful card Mary, you've coloured the image perfectly. Thanks for a great challenge, really enjoyed this one. Carol x

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  4. Hello my dear Mary. What a stunning card. I would love to see Cardinals in their natural habitat. Hugs Rita xxx

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  5. Gorgeous card Mary. Your coloring is amazing ... you've really brought the bird to life. Loll xx

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  6. What a gorgeous card, Mary!! The cardinal is so beautiful!! You colored it perfectly!! Absolutely fabulous card - love it!! Happy Sunday :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  7. Lurve your card Mary - thank you for this challenge - I even managed to find a digi on t'internet. I would so love to have these in my garden they are totally gorgeous and so is your creation!! Love those papers as well btw!!!

    Hugs to you Sue Pxxx

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  8. That's a fantastic card Mary. A Cardinal is a bird that I have never seen in this country though I daresay there are probably some birdy places that have them. They look so regal xx

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  9. Beautiful card Mary, I like the cardinal image and the frame.
    Kevin xx

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  10. A great challenge Mary...loved doing the cardinal and yours is just delightful!....along with that lovely coordinating back ground paper! Blogger has been playing up over here all day!....xxxx

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  11. Another gorgeous card Mary. I hope you aren't effected by the earth quake that has hit North Carolina ??? Take care Hazel xx

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  12. This is gorgeous Mary and thanks for a fab challenge!! huggles Sue xxx

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  13. I always love a bird card and this one is gorgeous. I really like that pretty lace and gold trim, too.

    I bet you got those storms yesterday if phone and internet were bonkers. It is so hot and humid here again today...just right for storms.

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  14. A great ard Mary, lovely colouring on the bird. I like the designer paper and red glitter card as well.
    Jean x

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  15. Hi, Mary! Really pretty background layers, and a wonderfully colored "band" across the back! Such visual interest and great texture! The glittery layer looks pretty! But it is your coloring which has me especially drawn to your card. The shading in the feathers and branch are beautiful! I thought of you Friday as I purchased a new cardinal stamp (why did I DO that?) LOL - I cannot enjoy the cardinals in the feeders and trees without thinking of your sweet self. Thank you for sharing such a pretty card!

    Sorry to hear you're experiencing internet issues. Thanks for mentioning the WoS pens. I don't know what those are.

    Please take care of yourself. Enjoy the beautiful weather - we are still in the mid-90s with extremely high humidity! SO GRATEFUL for the new windows and AC.

    xoxox

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  16. This is very pretty Mary, and the Cardinal has been beautifully coloured and looks very Christmas-y especially perched on the pine branches. The papers are lovely too and I love the lace and the gold trim. Sorry you are getting trouble with the internet so thanks for managing to get to me with that lovely comment. x

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  17. Another beautiful cardinal, Mary! I don't think I'll ever see one now that I don't think of you. Have a great week!

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  18. Beautifully colored cardinal! Love that background paper too. In fact, love your entire card!
    I can't wait for the cardinals to show back up around here. We usually have a lot of them in the winter and all the way into spring.
    Hope your internet issues get worked out. Know how frustrating that is.
    Lynn

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  19. This is just so lovely, Mary! A gorgeous image, and fab background papers! Fabulous card, hun!

    love Mags B x

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  20. What a surprise to see you use a bird image! LOL J/K - this is so pretty Mary, with beautiful coloring and a great die cut base too! Very pretty lace borders too!

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  21. Your colouring is Ace.I love the stamp you have used. I wish we had these birds in UK they are so colourful. Thaks for a great challenge theme. Hugs Mrs A.

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  22. Your cardinal is coloured beautifully. As i think Cardinals have a sort of golden glow too, the gold cord looks fabulous!

    I'm with you on the wink of stella pens...such great maneuverability!

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  23. Your cardinal is so vivid and beautiful. I love the die cuts and the DP.

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  24. What a lovely card Mary - we don't have Cardinals here - with Christmas in summer we are more used to seeing our trees in flower and birds on leafy boughs :-).
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  25. Lovely card. Thank you for the setting the challenge for this fortnight.

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  26. Hello dear Mary,
    So good to catch up with up your sweet posts once again :). I see I missed lot of wonderful posts, especially the one on creative blog hops. I see lot of new faces. Hope you had fun :). Life is little busy on my side, so commenting on my fav blogs is not getting possible at times. Managed to post after few days. I liked your Christmas card :).

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  27. Brilliant card, love the image and great design,
    Hugs

    Patricia x

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  28. Very beautiful card Mary. Beautiful bird too, unfortunatly I have never seen one in real life. HUgs Veerle xxx

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  29. Lovely card and what a beautiful bird.

    Hope you have a good day.

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  30. A fabby challenge, Mary.. one that led me to do a little research on the Cardinal. Your card sets the stage for this fascinating bird. Awesome colouring! I don't have one in my stash (soon to be corrected!), instead I played along with a little robin. Have a great week!
    hugs, Asha

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  31. Sorry I'm a bit late commenting Mary, yesterday was rather hectic. Thanks for this great challenge and your cardinal card looks fabulous. Great colouring and design.
    Lorraine

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  32. This is really beautiful the cardinal stands out beautifully, love your backing paper too. The die is the perfect shape for it.

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  33. Cute card!!Love the cardinal

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  34. Wow Momma Mary, I don't know how you color so realistic but you do! This cardinal looks amazing, I love the SB's mat you used for him and I love that Christmas paper. These internet things are such a pita, I hope it clears up soon and your internet works along with the phone. Hugs, Brenda

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  35. The cardinal really is the most stunning of birds and the one on your card certainly is! A really beautiful card Mary. Anne xx

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  36. Hi Mary, I came over here after having seen a message from my friend Brenda that you had tagged her for the hop. I love your blog, I am your newest follower I hope you will come follow me. Have a blessed day
    DIANA L. BBTB2 DT member
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com http://dianamlarson.ctmh.com

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  37. What a stunning Christmas card. I love it. Cardinals are one of my favorite birds also. Have a blessed day
    DIANA L. BBTB2 DT member
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com http://dianamlarson.ctmh.com

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  38. So beautiful Mary, it's a wonderful Cardinal image, I'd never heard of this bird before your challenge, but he is lovely and I must look for an image,
    Your design and colouring is stunning, thanks for the challenge, Kate x

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  39. Fabulous work Mary, you have done a great job on this, I love it!
    Hugs Jacee
    Simply Paper Card Design

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  40. Hi Mary,
    I don't know how I missed you out yesterday, as it was your turn to choose the Christmas Club Card theme.
    I love your fab choice as I have seen some really fab cards.
    Funny as most of my blog friends are in this Club so I get to see all your creations.
    I have joined your email so I will be informed when you post next time.
    Now to your superb card.
    I love this design, and your colouring of the Cardinal Bird is super.
    I love your shaped die used to mount the bird on, and your paper used is also very lovely.
    I was saying to Planet Susie that you are very lucky to see this very lovely bird in the flesh so to speak.
    I don't know about me teaching you
    how to design cards your pretty good your self, you have tried things I have never ventured to.
    I just wish I lived nearer I would love to have a friend that I could craft with.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  41. Lovely Mary, we do not have these birds in South Africa they are so colourful.

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  42. That cardinal is beautiful. You did such a lovely job coloring her. And I really like die cut strip with the lace and gold trim layered on top.

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