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10/02/2016

Christmas Card Club - Festive Birds

Happy Sunday and welcome to another Christmas Card Club. This club is a group of card makers who come together every 2 weeks to share a Christmas card, with a challenge theme selected by one of our members. This week, Valery Anne chose a theme of Festive Birds. ( Valery has an awesome new blog look too!

We'd had visitors, been away for a couple days; right after we got back home, Mr. had a relapse of the same symptoms he had immediately after getting the Super-Duper Flu Shot being given to seniors. I had the shot at the same time, no symptoms. Therefore, I've had my TLC hat on for the past few days.  Friday was basically devoted to being in a doctor's office, going to a hospital clinic to get a chest xray; doctor wanted him to go there, so she'd get the results back by afternoon. She suspected pneumonia in both lungs. Sure sounded like he had it too! However we got a call late evening, that the lungs were clear...no pneumonia. It's some kind of respiratory viral infection, and I'm hoping no one else catches it from him. He's been quite miserable. Not much being done here except tend the sick. I don't know if your men folk are like mine, but he is a _terrible_ patient. (for me - for the nurses, he couldn't be sweeter!) Is it like that around your house???

Anyway, finally got a card finished, and thanks once again to Sylvie of Gibmiss, because her recent gift of some wonderful LOTV toppers came to the rescue!!!



 
Selected this LOTV topper because of the group of birds. Did absolutely NO shading - only used an oval zigzag stitched die to change the rectangle shape of the LOTV image. Added another scant oval red mat behind the die.
 
- Sue Wilson background die cut from some patterned paper. This die is from one of SW Festive Collections, and with the magic metal shim - a couple of passes through the Big Shot, it cut like a dream.
 
- white c/s sponged with DI Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Abandoned Coral and Pumpkin in spots, then added in Stormy Sky and Broken China. Sprayed this with some Tattered Angels Gold and Lindy's Starburst sprays for some glitz. I was trying to get a background that would look nice behind the SW die, and still compliment the colors in the LOTV topper. IRL the shimmer from the sprays shows quite nicely.
 
- Elizabeth Craft pine branch die cut from white c/s, colored with copics. Because the holly berries that are part of this set, were fiddly to try to color such tiny bits, used Nuvo Crystals to make some berries.
 
- Cheery Lynn sentiment die, 3 layers, cut from the same snippet as the frame was. That's it folks.
 
Please take time to visit my fellow club members (links to their blogs is in the sidebar).
 
Thanks for joining me today, and my apologies for taking so long to return visits. I eventually get there, but - it's been busy here. Both our visitors got back to their homes safely, and we're so happy they got to come.
 
Have a great day, and Blessings & Hugs.
 
 
 

54 comments:

  1. Mary my man needs a theatre critic when he is ill...the worst patient ever!
    Loving your beautiful card,that background really makes your image pop....and super images just perfectly Christmas....xxxx

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  2. Ah sorry about Mr being poorly pray you keep well Mary, what a clever card, lve the sue Wilson and interested on your comment, might buy one one day, but they're so expensive I think.
    Out of my league mostly so just drool. :) Shaz in Oz.x

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  3. So sorry to hear about hubbys reaction to the jab Mary. I've had to have it for years because I'm immune compromised and always used to get a bad flue like reaction, but the last few years no problem at all. Fingers crossed I will be OK when I get mine again next week.

    Back to your card, what a super seasonal image with the little Great Tit and such a pretty background with the delicate die cut frame.

    B x

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  4. Lovely card with a lovely image Mary. I do hope your husband is feeling better now. Hugs Christine xx

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  5. Sorry your Mr. has been so poorly Mary and hope he is soon on the mend. We have an expression 'a dying duck in a thunderstorm', I think this fits most men when they are under the weather, but it sounds as though he has been bad so has a reason to be fed up. I love your card and the colours are beautiful Mary, and the background die cut which you prettied up looks great. The little pine branch with the berries and the lovely bright red sentiment go perfectly too. x

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  6. I hope hubby recovers soon. I don't think he is much different from any man. Most men don't even want to go to the doctor so at least he did that! I'm glad his friends got home safely. Your card is so pretty. I love the intricate die cover. That is a great scene with the birds and I love how you did the berries.

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  7. Beautiful card!! Yep sounds like my husband. Terrible patient!!

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  8. Simply gorgeous card Mary. Your background is stunning and I love the Nuvo drops as the berries - very cool. My hubby is not a good patient either - I really do think it is a man thing - and I agree, they take it out on the ones closest to them - not the nurses!

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  9. Looks very pretty Mary.
    Hugs, Veerle

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  10. Hello Mary, Alistair isn't really a bad patient, he just takes to bed and either sleeps or reads, so poor you with your bad patient, but seriously, I do hope your husband recovers soon, it sounds a nasty virus.
    Your card is stunning, beautiful image with all these little birds,beautifully designed and coloured too. You take care, Kate x

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  11. First....your card is so cheery and I love the die cut. It just puts me in a merry mood. As for hubby...if I have the flu, he has pneumonia and whines and whines like our one cat, Naddie, right now I have a cold Dore on my tongue and have been putting that stuff on it that stings. Well when he has a cold sore he makes it sound like he needs to to the hospital and that stuff stings so much that he hollers so the whole neighbourhood can hear. The. The wuss, um, I mean hubby has the audacity to say I don't have things as bad as he. That's when the rolling pin looks really good to use.

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  12. Hi Mary, Hope your hubby is much better soon. Men are such babies when they feel unwell. Man flu can be awful, for the females taking care of the man:) LOL

    Love the card.

    Hope you have a good week ahead. Sue

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  13. Beautiful card Mary. Love those little birds. Will write you later as we have had family here and it's been very busy. Hugs Rita xxxx

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  14. Hello Mary, I'm sorry to hear that your hubby is feeling so poorly and hope he's soon on the mend. These viruses can really drag you down. I wonder if it's a reaction to the flu jab. I haven't had one for the past three years because I had really bad flue symptoms for three years running. I actually spent 5 days in bed the last time so now just take my chance.

    Your card is lovely. What sweet little birds they are abd the background is super. Barbxx

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  15. What a fabulous card! Lovely colours and amazing details.
    Valerija xx

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  16. so very sorry to hear about your hubby - mine was never a problem bless him - but my dad was more like your hubby. He ran my poor mum a merry dance when he was poorly! Brilliant card Mary - really lovely! Hugs rachel x

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  17. Such a pretty card using this gorgeous image and lovely die cut background. Sorry to hear that hubby has been poorly, hopefully your nursing will have him on the mend soon.
    Lorraine

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  18. Fabulous card Mary... Love the birds and the bright colours...
    Sorry to hear your hubby has been poorly... Wishing him a speedy recovery...
    Hugs Sylvie xx

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  19. My Hubby is the opposite. plays everything down and suffers in silence but I can tell and that is so frustrating too.
    Your bird cards are always so fabulous and this one is no exception, I love it.

    Kath x

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  20. Sorry to hear that Hubby has been under the weather, he sounds just like mine when he is poorly!! We have found that very few of the 1500 flu shots that we give at work cause reactions, although we always say that flu like symptoms could follow. I've never felt unwell in the 10 years I've had one and wouldn't do without it actually. Anyway onto your lovely card, the topper is really gorgeous and I love the textured background and the greenery too xx

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  21. WOWOW! those toppers certainly make outstanding cards, don't they?

    Oh WAIT! I guess you would need to know how to use the beautiful SW frame die, and put texture on it, and frame it in pretty festive red, and and and... LOL

    Wonderful creation, and such a pretty card, Mary! hugs, de

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  22. Sorry to hear your hubby is poorly! hope he gets better soon!.
    Beautiful card with your feathered friends topper Mary! love the background and colours.
    Take care Pam x

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  23. Sorry to hear your hubby is poorly Mary...your card is wonderful and I'm trying to get around to commenting more often but it's been a hard slog recently huggles Sue xxx

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  24. Hi Mary, hope you are appreciated by your Husband, strange how Flu shots cause reactions in some but not others... the little birds look happy to have found some Christmas treats and the card has turned out lovely... have a great week... Megan

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  25. A beautiful card Mary - love the theme and you have rally captured it wonderfully with this creation.
    I know what you mean about hubby's being terrible patients for us, but lovely to the nurses - I had DH in hospital last week and saw it first hand.... Sorry to hear he has these horrible complications - thankfully we have never had any reactions to the flu shots.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  26. So sorry you have a sick hubby--gets scary the older we get! Lovely card, Mary! I forget that just changing the shape can totally change the look of an image--love the oval!

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  27. In my experience men make the worst patients/ My DH when sick is very hard to live with. So I sympathize with you and tending the Mr. I hope and pray he gets better very soon. Great news that his lungs are clear. Lovely card, Mary. Really like the birds and all the trimmings. Nice layout. Hope you have a wonderful week. I'll be keeping you both in my prayers.

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  28. Super card Mary. I like the die cut background and of course the robin is lovely. Zx

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  29. What a sweet topper, Mary! Love those chickadees! I've learned to leave DH alone when he's sick. He'll let me know when he needs something. He's not a good patient either. Good luck and best wishes to Joe for a speedy recovery.

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  30. My man doesn't want any input or help from me when he is sick. He just wants to sit off to the side and moan like the end is in sight. Pfft! I have a cold that's gone into my lungs. As an asthmatic that's also a concern so I understand the doctor jumping right to a chest Xray. Hope your hubby is on the mend soon.

    I really like your card with the bit of evergreen bough attached. Very sweet and festive. I like that ornate background.

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  31. Hi Mary,
    ooooooooooo! Sorry to hear that your Mr has not been well again.
    I do hope he is feeling more comfortable at the mo.
    So glad it didn't happen last week to spoil his Navy buddies visit, as that would have such a pity.
    Lots of get well wishes winging their way to him.

    You card is very lovely and that image is so sweet and lovely.
    Gorgeous background as usual, and such a very pretty die cut background also.
    I love your super pine branch too.
    Love and biggest hugs from my house to yours.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  32. What a beautiful image! Those tiny little birds just make me smile! The oval on the intricate die-cut background looks so pretty, and I love that little fern branch too! I hope your hubs feels better soon! It must be national ailment month or something - as I ended up in ER Sunday morning with kidney stones. AWRGG!! TC, ya hear?

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  33. Mary, I just love how the die cut colors match your topper colors so perfectly! Love the beautiful way you designed this. The stitched ovals are such a perfect frame for this delightful image!

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  34. Goodness your blog has been given a new look too. I love it. Loll really has been busy. Love your gorgeous card made with the LOTV image. I was expecting a Cardinal from you so you have surprised me
    with this delightful quintet. So glad you have enjoyed my challenge theme. Hugs Mrs A.

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  35. So sorry to hear about hubby (yes, I think it is a man thing - lol), hope he gets better soon! The birds are beautiful on your card and I love the textured background - another great Christmas card Mary! Hugs, Anne xx

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  36. You are getting on really well with the Christmas cards and this is another SUPER card. Love the colours and the image is so cute and your background die is fab too.


    Hop Joe is better today, he must be feeling pretty rough, yep! my hubby is a terrible patient, just wants cuddling like a child! So NOT me LOL.
    Faith
    x

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  37. Ooooo, so sorry your hubby is sick, I hope he is better soon! Mary, your card is so pretty! I love the intricate die cut background and the birds image is so sweet, Great card!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  38. oh hope your hubby starts to feel better soon hun,as for your card its just gorgeous,love the background,and the bird is just so beautiful hugs Cherylxxxxxx

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  39. Beautiful card Mary I love the Wintry looking image -men always get worse ailments than women don't they lol if you feel ill they always come up with something worse -hope your hubby feels better soon for your sake lol
    Carol x

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  40. Beautiful card Mary! I hope that Mr. is feeling better? The flu shot is made from a dead virus, so, our nurse said its not going to get anyone sick, but I've had a few employees say they get the flu. Weird!

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  41. A beautiful Christmas card Mary, such a pretty topper and lovely die cut background.
    Pauline
    x

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  42. Mary, the background is girgeous - love the leaves in particular. So sorry your hubby is under the weather. Hope he's better soon.

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  43. So sorry to hear about hubby and hoping he recovers soon.
    I just ADORE this sweet image Mary!! The background with the die cut panel and the pine accents really make this whole design come together beautifully! Wishing you lots of hugs

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  44. I hope your DH is feeling much better now Mary!
    Your card is absolutely beautiful!!
    Hugs~

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  45. Such a pretty topper and love all those die cut accessories. The red pops nicely from the blue die cut pattern with the warm colors showing through the cut out parts.

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  46. So sorry to hear about your Mr! Your card is super adorable . Love everything you make Mary!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  47. This is really pretty, MAry. i love LOTV images and art pads...sure wish they still sold the latter.
    I emphasize with your hubby. I got the same bug the last day of the cruise and today is the first time I have been out of bed! Ten days of bedrest and I am still in a cold sweat to climb the stairs back to bed today!

    The Misti is now in our stores...trying to decide between the smaller one that makes up to 5 x 7 cards...or the 12x12 one. What do you think? I know you have one and really trust your judgement.

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  48. Sitting here watching the path of Hurricane Matthew this brings a happy feel to my day so thank you for this lovely ,,,,,,,,,,,,Lis

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  49. Very beautiful fall look on your blog! I love it!
    Gorgeous card! Beautiful details and image!
    I hope your husband will get better soon! and you are absolutely right about men being terrible when they are sick!
    I was sick for 2 weeks and still managed to have food ready when he came home from work and still managed to do laundry and other duties... but as soon as he got sick 3 days ago, it's like I have a baby at home!! lol Men, can't live with them and can't live without them!
    xoxo Olga

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  50. I've just been looking at all your recent posts, beautiful creations as always Mary. I love the new look of your blog too. I'm not sure why I've missed so many of your recent posts. I don't think that they've been coming up on my reading list. :-(

    I think all men seem to be the same when it comes to being ill. Hope your hubby recovers soon. xx

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  51. First, I'm so sorry to hear that Mr. has been so sick! Praying for healing for him, and that you don't catch it! Hopefully the flu shot will help. I can't believe the number of bugs already going around this Fall. Second, your card is GORGEOUS! What a sweet birdie scene. Love how you embellished, as always. I really need to get some of those stitched frames -- you keep tempting me -- ha ha!

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  52. Stunning card, like all the die cuts with your image. Hope dear hubby is feeling better soon.

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  53. Hello my friend!! I'm back from vacation catching up on all of your beautiful projects I've missed while I've been gone!! I wanted to leave a comment on each one but blogger has decided I'm a spammer and I have to go through the click on "not a robot" button and the picture captcha. Ugh. So I'm sorry I can't comment on each project but they are all amazing!! I especially love the beautiful sunflower card!!

    This is gorgeous!! I love the pretty bird scene and the details you've added!! It looks amazing!! I hope your hubby is feeling much better every day and that you don't catch it. Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  54. Hope you've survived Matthew without big problems, Mary--you've been in my thoughts.

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