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3/06/2016

Christmas Card Club - A Card for Someone Special

Good Morning, and my apologies for being MIA for a while. We were away, then when we returned, still had a house guest. Once our BF headed back home, we were busy with car insurance & repair aggravations. However, I think that is in hand (we don't know yet how successful that will be - but at least it's in progress).  We had fantastically beautiful weather in Florida, and basically I read, relaxed, and enjoyed the family & sunshine. First trip we've taken in recent memory that I took no craft supplies...just my kindle.

As I'm doing this post, it is lovely sunshine outside, about 63F degrees, and shaping up to be a splendid day. Several sweet readers have asked what the card sets on in the photos: It's a Yankee Candle topper. I got the idea from some clever UK folks who were using them when I first started this blog. Although I had a couple of other style YCandle toppers, mine were nothing like what I was seeing the UK folks use. So the hunt was on. There's a picture at the end of this post showing exactly what the one I've used of late - looks like. I watch the sales, folks, and try to find seasonal looks. Sometimes it's not always shaped to have the card set in the opening as straight as it should, which of course, I never see until I look at the photo! Thank goodness for Photo Shop and the rotation feature!

One last comment before the Christmas Card Club part of this post: This blog started on March 12, 2012...so a Fourth Blogaversary is coming up. I've been saving up some goodies - I had hoped that the Blogaversary and 350 followers might just happen close together. Since I've lost some followers, that ain't gonna happen, BUT...the 4 year mark will. So Watch This Space...I hope to find new homes for some surprises to You, my wonderful followers!

{Ahem}: Now for the Christmas Card Club stuff:

Today our challenge was chosen by Our Zoe and Zoe chose the challenge Someone Special. At first I thought this was to be for Mother's Day, which I believe comes in the UK before ours does in the States. So after some thought, I decided to do something with the Most Special Mother of all time: Madonna. I've always particularly loved images & pictures of Madonna and Child, and have some old, very wonderful purchased Christmas Cards with beautiful images on them.

So here's my card in honor of Someone Special:


- image is an old wooden Inkadinkadoo, stamped with Versafine Majestic Blue. Had decided to do no coloring, let this very finely detailed image just be very simply done. First thought of sepia tones, then decided I'd go with the darker blues.  I was quite pleased that it stamped out as finely as it did. The only coloring is some Clear WoS for sparkle on the Mother's veil and the Baby's wrappings. Doesn't show in the photo, but is quite pretty IRL.

- Paper Trey Ink Scroll  Cover Plate for the embossing. Before embossing, used a S/B Large Petite Oval die to cut the center shape larger than the cover plate's opening. My first attempt was to use the plate as a die to cut a frame. However, once the center was enlarged, the frame didn't look right. Then decided to just cut the opening, and then emboss the frame into the design, and this looked much better. The plate's aperture didn't reveal enough of the image.

- used the small & large S/B ovals to cut a textured silver frame to place just inside the navy blue frame; this was a last minute idea.

- Elizabeth Craft sentiment die to cut the sentiment, using 2 layers of snippets white c/s. A pentel Slicci silver pen colored the white c/s, then placed a silver layer cut from the same piece as the framing silver (also a snippet). The 3 layers created good dimension but still let the image remain the focus. The thought process in making this card was geared to Mothers. Didn't want to do a Merry Christmas, but I think Mothers all over the world, would feel Peace is a greatly desired quality to have - and not just at Christmas. I'm certain this particular Mother would have felt so.

Please pop over to my fellow Christmas Card Club members to see what they have shared for this challenge. Their blogs are listed on the right sidebar.

And many thanks to so many of you who emailed to ask about us, while I was missing. You've no idea what a lift that gave to my day, and was so appreciated. My many wonderful friends have been the biggest bonus of this Blogging Adventure! So lots of hugs & have a wonderful day.

Yankee Candle Topper used as easel for photos. This one is a Snowflake pattern.


51 comments:

  1. Fab make. Good to hear you enjoyed your Florida break - we've still got ours to look forward to. Welcome home

    Kathyk

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  2. OMG Mary this is beautiful right to the base Lis

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  3. A beautiful card and I love your candle holder base - a great bit of upcyling!
    Kath x

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  4. Beautiful Mary! Yes the Yankee candle topper are good as card stands. I am glad you had a lovely relaxing time whike away. Hazel xxx

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  5. This is beautiful Mary. The image is winderful and that rich blue card is gorgeous. Glad you are home safe. Hugs Christine xx

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  6. Hi Mary, beautiful card, and the image inked with just the blue is a super idea, lovely rich blue background too, lovely card.
    I do like your snowflake candle thingy, I have a couple of them that I use occasionally, but sometimes I can't get the cards to stand up on them all that well. Alistair filed a bit to enable me to get them to stand up and it helps a bit, but they are lovely.
    Take care, Kate x

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  7. What a wonderful image Mary....and I love the way you have framed it in the embossed area....I am in bed with a bad back at the moment so enforced rest for me! Xxxxx

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  8. Hi Mary, What a lovely card.

    Brilliant idea to use the Yankee Candle topper to display your cards.

    Hope the car repairs go ahead without any problems.

    Glad you had a nice time in Florida.

    Take Care
    Sue

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  9. Your card looks simple and serene in it's style and very beautiful Mary. A lovely stamped image and the blue colour suits it. Hope you are enjoying the sunshine.
    Lorraine

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  10. So happy to hear that you are well. What a fantastic card and beautiful meaning. The candle topper is fab too! Warm hugs, Autumn

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  11. This is beautiful Mary and I don't think anyone of us is going to be able to top you for content. Your candle holder is a nice way of displaying your cards. Must admit that by the time I'm due to take a photo I just [plonk the card in the light source and press the button. I'm usually in a mad rush to get the post done and dusted.
    Hugs Mrs A.

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  12. Outstanding card Mary! The embossing adds that extra special touch and I love that image in the blue. Absolutely beautiful!
    Lynn

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  13. It really is a very special card Mary, absolutely stunning in fact, perfect for Christmas or for Mother's Day which it is today here in the UK. I love your beautiful card! Hugs, Anne xx

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  14. This is a beauty in all its simplicity. A card doesn't need lots of colors or embellies to be beautiful and this is proof of that.

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  15. This is just lovely Mary my friend! Glad to see you back and hear you had a lovely break! Have a great week this week! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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  16. This is surely a very Special Mother!! Well done, you have had a lovely tought!! Your card is wonderful and so paceful! The blue tones are just perfect and the framed embossed background looks amazing!
    Happy that you have had lovely days with your family!
    Great idea to use this candle topper to stand up your cards! I have never seen one in real life
    Hugs

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  17. Perfect for Mother's Day and/or for Christmas - just beautiful Mary. The blue in the background looks so good and the embossing is great. I cannot emboss to save my soul!
    sandy xx

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  18. Hello my dear Mary. So glad you both enjoyed your break, heat like that would kill me. I love your card it really does look so special. I can never get my cards to stand upright on my candle lid. Will be in touch Mary. Hugs Rita xxx

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  19. Gorgeous card Mary, such a lovely image and perfect colours.
    Pam x

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  20. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time in FL relaxing and enjoying the sunshine! I wish I could have joined you! LOL What a fabulous two-toned blue card, so beautiful for any occasion! i never thought of using a candle topper to hold cards but danged if it doesn't look real pretty!!

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  21. This is a really beautiful image and such an elegant card Mary and the blue tones work well and are so pretty. I did suspect you might have a lot on at the moment but was beginning to wonder if everything was OK. So glad you had a good relaxing time in Florida and sorry to hear of your repair frustrations so hope that is soon cleared up sucessfully. x

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  22. Welcome back Mary!! I'm glad you had a wonderful time with your family and guest!! Your card is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the image!! The embossing is fabulous!! Beautiful my friend!! Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  23. This is a great card. I loved that you chose blue and the Madonna needs nothing extra...so very. Pretty. It sounds like you had a great time off so glad you did.

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  24. What a lovely traditional Christmas card. The religious theme is wonderful...such a great image. When I was a kid, my Mom had a statue like
    that in her bedroom!

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  25. So glad you're back - I thought that maybe I had missed your posts somehow. You've been a busy lady - glad it was good (except for the car situation). This is such a sweet card for such a sweet Lady - definitely worth the recognition of a special lady. ... and yes you are correct - Mothering Sunday falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent in the UK, i.e. today!! Love the monochromatic look and the detail in the stamp is wonderful.

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  26. Mm, Mary so nice to read you've had a good break away and pray all goes well and blessed of the LORD in respect to your vehicle repair and claim.. lovely CAS card and simply clever use if a Yankee candle topper .. wonder how you use them originally, as it does as look more like a holder than a topper??
    All of the Lord's blessings dear friend, Shaz in oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  27. Simply beautiful, Mary ... a lovely image and just the most perfect blues! Hugs, Anita :)

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  28. Loving seeing you back and knowing you had a good break - eventually!!
    Wonderful card Mary- the simple blue stamping and the darker embossed background is stunning.
    Blessing
    Maxine

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  29. Sounds like the perfect trip to Florida Mary, so pleased you were able to relax and rest.

    A most beautiful and peaceful card, the image is so serene and the blues and subtle embossing in the background all work together perfectly.

    B x

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  30. You made a real Ikoon with that stamp! Beautiful! Love the embossing in blue. This is a stamp I also use only on special cards for special persons... Make it a colourfull week!

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  31. So happy for you that your had a wonderful trip, Mary, and welcome back ...we've missed you while you were away!!!!
    And you're back with a lovely and very special Christmas card!!!! Love the embossed frame to let the beautiful image really pop and the blues are really lovely!!! The simple sentiment is perfect!!! Beautifully done!!!!
    Have a great start to your week!!!
    Hugz

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  32. Glad you had fun in the sun Mary. I like your card reminding us of the reason for the season. Thank you joining my challenge. Zx

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  33. Your card is absolutely beautiful Mary. I'm glad you had a good time in Florida - lucky girl. It's been really cold here. Barbxx

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  34. Mary I have clicked on every thing on this page I can't get to the Christmas club.......Lis

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  35. Welcome Home Mary!
    Lovely card and image!
    The monochromatic look is absolutely stunning!
    xx

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  36. This is such a beautiful card Mary, the stamp is lovely and it looks great stamped with blue ink. I love the embossed border as well.
    I'm so glad that you had a lovely relaxing break in Florida, so great to have time for a good read.
    Jean x

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  37. Beautiful card! I'm happy you had a relaxing time!
    Xoxo Olga

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  38. This is just fabulous Mary! I'm so glad everything's good :-)

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  39. Such an elegant and beautiful card
    I am having a celebration on my blog...please do drop in when you can.Here is the link : 5 Million Page-views Celebration

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  40. Beautiful card Mary. And your Yankee candle topper is gorgeous --- I've never heard of that before.

    Glad you had a good trip and things are well on their way to being organized to get your vehicle repairs done. xx

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  41. What a beautiful card Momma Mary! I love the image but I really love how you decided to showcase it. I'm glad you had a great time in FL and I'm glad you got to read and just relax! Sometimes it is good to leave the crafty stuff behind once in a while. Who knew that you were using a Yankee candle topper for a card holder?!!! Clever and now I will have to be looking for one. lol Hugs, Brenda

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  42. Really beautiful card Mary. The blues just work perfectly with the stamp. Hope your car repairs go OK!

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  43. Stunning card Mary! Glad you had a relaxing vacation!

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  44. Catching up on emails and saw that I'd missed this post! Love the Madonna and Child stamp and how she's holding Him so lovingly! So pretty in the monochrome blue and white! It's got to 80° both yesterday and today. Low humidity and just gorgeous!

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  45. A Stunningly beautiful card. Love your card holder, ingenious no matter where it came from.

    SO very glad you had a relaxing holiday, looks like it did you good.

    Wondered where you were, but wondered instead of asking :(
    Take care.
    xx

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  46. Simply stunning card Mary....I love your gorgeous image and in that blue just adds so much elegance to your card. Love your tip about using the Yankee Candle topper for a card easel...so clever!

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  47. Great card, and gorgeous card holder!
    Even if it is a candle topper/ it works!

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  48. A wonderful card Mary, the embossing is gorgeous. Sorry I'm so late commenting, don't know where the last fortnight has gone!! Carol x

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