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7/06/2016

Anniversary - Wild Hibiscus - CAS Mix Up

Good afternoon...and welcome. Been MIA for a bit, but did manage to finish up a couple cards to share. Received some absolutely lovely birthday cards from wonderful blog friends, and have posted a few. Still have a couple to photo and share, but if you have time, do please check the Cards by Friends Page and enjoy some of the blessings that came my way. All these are displayed on the mantle and provide such uplift to my mood each time I pass. Thank you to those who were so generous and kind to remember me- either with a snail card or an email card. Wasn't feeling all that great on the day, so these cards were just the cheer I needed then.

One lovely friend sent some embossed images which I've used on today's card. We have an anniversary coming soon, and for some reason, I felt the urge to do something a bit 'tropical'. I'd seen Julie Ebersole Hello Monday and was inspired to attempt the look.


- Wild Hibiscus flowers & leaves had been embossed with a metallic ink, so colored with Zig Brush Markers, fussy cut.

- Background behind the flowers (in the cut out section) was an experiment with DI Paints and an old background stamp (think the stamp is Hero Art, but no markings). Had seen a video that showed dabbing the paints over a stamp, spritzing, then stamping. The first mistake was these were new paints, so had to get the 'flow' started. Dabbed on the stamp instead of on the craft sheet, and of course the paint was much too thick in places. Second mistake: this background stamp is not etched as deeply in some places, so wasn't the best choice for trying this technique. My first effort had too much ink in places, looked ok in other sections. Decided to cut a piece of the boo-boo to back these flowers in the cut-out. (kept spritzing the stamp, and pulling more prints. Successive prints looked better). These prints will be used in later cards.

- S/B Flowers & Leaves EF (SES-008). Had to fiddle with the B/Shot to get the sandwich to roll without stress. On the normal sandwich that would be used with an embossing folder, it seemed too 'thick'. so kept adjusting. Final effort was just the multi-purpose platform, all tabs in place, and did not use the bottom cutting plate-just the top plate. It rolled through ok, and did a nice embossing. I've broken a Cuttlebug with an Mbossibility EF in the past (think S/B must use a thicker grade of plastic in their newer EF's as well...seems much thicker than the Darice ones).

Cut this embossed piece, laid the background in place on the card base, added the portions of the embossed piece, then applied the flowers over that. Decided to add some Nuvo crystal pearl centers.

- SU sentiment, stamped with SU Real Red, punched with an SU punch. That's it!

Thank you to so many of you who emailed with good wishes while I was dealing with the respiratory troubles. I'm feeling much improved, but still need to regain my energy. It's been very hot in our area, so just staying in the air conditioning, and resting a lot. Thanks for joining me today. Big Cyber Hugs.
Linking to July CAS Mix Up Card Challenge.

 
 

53 comments:

  1. Beautiful shading with your Zigs on the flowers and leaves, Mary. They look great against the bit of red background and the embossed cardbase. Thanks for joining us at CAS Mix Up!

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  2. Belated Birthday wishes Mary and I hope you had a lovely day in spite of feeling under the weather. What a beautiful card, the embossed background highlights those beautiful blooms perfectly xx

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  3. Wow, Mary! What a gorgeous card! That pop of beautiful color against the white makes me SO happy!!! Happy Anniversary, dear girl - hope you have a wonderful celebration :) Hugs...!

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  4. Beautiful card and coloring with your zig markers Mary. Happy belated birthday. Hope you are up to par soon.

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  5. A very pretty card. Love your coloring.
    Valerija xx

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  6. So very sorry Mary that I didn't wish you a Happy Birthday but I didn't realise, and also so sorry that you were not feeling well that day.
    This is a beautiful card , love the embossed background and the really lovely flowers.
    Very best wishes on your up and coming Anniversary.

    Kath x

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  7. Oh this is so beautiful hun colouring is just perfect so striking really gorgeous hun,hope you don't come down with anything love hugfs cheryl xx

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  8. I just ordered this stamp and it is on it's way so thank you for the inspiration card. You did a fantastic job with the zigs and the embossing folder is really pretty. I'm sorry you were a bit under the weather on your birthday so it was nice to have cards coming in the mail to cheer you up. Hope you are on the mend now and it was just a passing thing. Indy really had great weather last week, but not so much this week.

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  9. Gorgeous card Mary, beautiful colours on your flowers, love the embossed background, same sandwich as I use in my big shot pro with thickish folders.
    Hope you feel yourself soon.
    Pam x

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  10. I had missed you here in blogland the past days Mary. Your card is very beautiful, love those gorgeous flowers. What a wonderful "cards from friends page" you have here. A gorgeous selection of cards. Hugs Veerle x

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  11. LOVE the gorgeous colours of your flowers Mary. Very tropical indeed!! :) Even though you struggled with the backdrop, it looks amazing. Great texture from the dry embossed pieces. Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix.

    Glad you had a nice birthday, despite feeling under the weather. Also happy to hear that you are feeling better. Take care and get some rest. xx

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  12. Happy Happy Birthday Mary! I didn't know it!
    Your card has really a tropical feel, with these bright flowers and the touch of gold! You have made a great recycling work with your "boo-boo" painted background, the stripe against the flowers looks so pretty! Fab embossing, too, it adds an elegant feel!
    Hope that the conditioning air helps you with the hot weather!
    Hugs

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  13. Oh Mary...this is so lovely. The hibiscus flowers are always so tropical looking and with your choice of hot colours for these flowers, you have captured that feel.

    Happy Belated Birthday. I am not a very good blog friend to have missed you...So sorry!

    Birthday Hugs, my friend.

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  14. I really like the look of these flowers poking through the opening on the white embossed panel. The coloring is gorgeous, and I love the golden highlights and embellishments! This is such a pretty anniversary card!

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  15. Happy belated birthday, Mary, and happy anniversary a bit early!! I absolutely love this card!! The flowers look amazing!! The colors are gorgeous!! The embossing adds the perfect touch of elegance!! Simply stunning my friend!! I hope you are feeling much better from your respiratory troubles. Thinking of you!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  16. I'm glad you're feeling up to blogging these gorgeous flowers, Mary! You always color so beautifully! I like the bit of color peeking out from behind them and the sweet embossing! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Mix Up!

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  17. Stunning card Mary my friend! I've missed so much since I've been away and then again with my communication 'difficulties'. Sorry to hear you have not been feeling a great and sorry too, I missed your birthday! :( Hope you feel 100% again soon and, . . . Happy Belated Birthday! Have a lovely evening! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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  18. This is extremely pretty Mary and I love the colour of the flowers and the great embossed background, and this is a beautiful card for your anniversary. So pleased you are beginning to feel better too. x

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  19. How lovely, Mary! Beautifully bold colors which are especially gorgeous with the gold accents and white background! Quite elegant, Mary! I hope you are feeling better and that the "basement doldrums" are looking up! Hugs, de

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  20. First...the card is beautiful and I love the white background with the flowers..looks great! I didn't know it was your birthday so happy belated birthday but sorry to hear you were not feeling well. I hope you are feeling better and are on the mend. It sounds similar to what I had...did you start with a very bad sore throat? I ended up have a throat I fction and then bronchitis. I hope you are ok an didn't it great to have a/c? I kiss that a/c

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  21. Ha! I just played around with this set for the first time! No card yet, though! Yours is absolutely gorgeous and went right into my inspiration folder for the future!
    Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, hope you'll get your energy back soon!

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  22. I love the gold with these gorgeous vivid colors!

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  23. Happy belated birthday, Mary! This is a lovely card. The texture on the card base is beautiful as are the flowers. I love the gold. I hope you continue to feel better.

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  24. Beautiful card! Fabulous coloring & a Belated Happy Birthday to you.

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  25. What a beautiful card Mary - Love the construction and the flowers are wonderful.
    Yes, for the s/b m-bossing folders I only use the A and one B plate in the cuttlebug. If I am not happy with the impression I add a layer of card as an extra, but never another plate.
    Glad to hear you are improving - lung issues are the pits.
    Happy belated birthday
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  26. As always a lovely card and perfect choicer of colour Mary.

    B x

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  27. Hi Mary, Sending you heaps of positive healing thoughts and huge hugs (((Mary))).

    What a beautiful card.

    Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

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  28. Happy belated birthday, Mary. Hope you had a lovely day. Love your idea of having a section for posting cards from friends on your blog. No idea how to do it though!

    Super card, love the bright flowers against the white, embossed background.

    Hope you'll soon be fully recovered. xx

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  29. he red flowers look so festive! Perfect and elegant for an aniversary card! Great design! Hope you have a good week! Hugs, Gerrina

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  30. Beautiful image you did a fab job of showing this Your coloring is bang on .....................Lis

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  31. Happy belated birthday Mary! sorry I missed it! I am sorry to hear that you are under the weather! wishes so you get well soon!
    Gorgeous card you created! so elegant!
    xoxo Olga

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  32. Happy Belated Birthday.
    Really beautiful card. Hope you had a great day.
    TFS and hugs,
    K

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  33. Gorgeous card!! Happy belated birthday! Glad you are feeling better. Super hot here also. Heat index in the 100's

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  34. Happy Belated Birthday to you!!! So sorry that I missed your special day. Your card is so beautiful, just love your gorgeous flowers and your coloring is simply stunning. Take care!

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  35. Mary, your painted flowers are fantastic! Love the various shades you used and the background strip is so perfect for them! This is such a delightful card! SO glad you are feeling better!

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  36. What a beautiful card, I love red and white together and these blooms really stand out against the embossed background.
    I hope you had an enjoyable birthday despite feeling poorly.
    Lorraine

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  37. Your card is stunning Mary, beautifully coloured blooms and a lovely design.
    Sorry to hear that you weren't too well on your birthday, I hope you are feeling better now, take care of yourself, Kate x

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  38. So lovely to see you back Mary and glad that you are feeling a little better, it must be so difficult with the heat so I hope you are still getting plenty of rest. Your card is stunning, I absolutely adore the vibrant colours - definitely tropical and definitely beautiful!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  39. HUGE Belated Birthday Wishes. I didn't know I'm so sorry. So glad that the "nice" people who sent you cards cheered you up. :)

    On to your card, what a bright and beautiful card, doesn't seem like the ink was too thick, if it was it came out lovely. The Nuvo drops have added a luxury look to the flowers.

    I hope you are fit and well for your Anniversary.
    Hugs
    Faith
    x

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  40. This is fun and flirty. Let's get tropical!

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  41. Oh my this is so beautiful Mary those flowers are stunning I also love the embossed background a superb creation
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  42. Gorgeous heat embossed and Zig markers colored flowers Mary. TFS and joining us at CAS Mix Up my friend. Hugs, Nancy

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  43. You made a really gorgeous card with those die cuts, Mary! I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better! You really had a rough go of it this time. In case I don't remember/have time to email me on Tuesday, I wish you and Joe a Happy Anniversary and many, many more!! Lots of love, Darnell

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  44. So sorry to hear that you haven't been well, Mary!!!! Hope you're much better by now, my friend!!!
    You've made such a beautiful anniversary card!!!! The flowers are simply gorgeous and I love the wonderful texture on the white!!! The bg strip really looks great and the gold centers of the flowers add just the right amount of sparkle!!!!! Wonderfully done, my friend!!!!
    Have a great day!!!!
    Hugz

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  45. What beautiful birthday cards you have received Momma Mary! Love the anniversary card you have made, it is so striking and so beautiful! Love that EF too. I enjoyed watching that video, will have to keep it in mind and try a card with this technique. Glad you are finally feeling better, you had me a little worried for a bit! Big hugs, Brenda

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  46. Beautiful card Mary! Your coloring is so pretty! And Happy Belated Birthday to you!

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  47. Happy belated birthday, Mary! This is such a gorgeous card--love the flowers & the dry embossing!

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  48. Belated Happy Birthday, Mary! Your card is beautiful ... striking and wonderfully textured ... those blooms really pop against the white! Hugs, Anita :)

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  49. I love using metallic embossing powders, but usually for sentiments and backgrounds. Love the elegant touch the gold adds to these flowers. A tip I'll keep in mind for a future card, lines certainly don't need to always be black...

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  50. Beautiful card Mary, love how you have used the flowers here. Looks so eye catching.

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  51. WOW gorgeous card and love the beautiful flowers -good to hear you are feeling better
    Carol x

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  52. Love the overall look of this Mary and that background technique sounds fascinating. I shall keep an eye out for more of it!

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