Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Happy Heart

 
Happy New Year everyone!  I face this new year with peace, hope, joy and mostly gratitude.  I have a wonderful family that I cherish deeply.  Friends that I love and know I can count on as they can always count on me.  A career that presents challenges and pressures that help me learn more about myself and the world around me.  And hobbies that relax me and give me a sense of accomplishment when a project is complete.  I ask you to stop for just a moment ... right now - it doesn't take long ... and really THINK about your blessings.  When you hug your children, say "Good Morning" to your spouse, perhaps finish a good book ... whatever it is for you ... just pause for a moment and THINK.  You're pretty terrific, huh?  I knew you would be.  I've decided to not make "resolutions" this year.  I don't want to make a list of my faults and determine how I could "improve" this or that.  No ... I want to be positive, uplifting, and just happy.  I want to appreciate the little things that happen every day that make my world so wonderful.  Like visits from all of you ...

I had a wonderful time making this for you.  Inspired by the gorgeous colors in this Play Date Cafe Challenge, I thought they were perfect for a Valentine greeting.  Shades of pinks, melon, and tan ... I know you love them too.


My card started with Pretty in Pink cardstock.  I layered it with a fabulous new DSP collection which is only days away from release!  "Springtime Vintage" is gorgeous and there's matching fabrics too!  I have given you a sneak peek at two of the new papers on this card and I'll be showing you more soon (along with a link)!  I stitched around the edges and included a length of vintage lace along the top.  The flourish plaque is from Notably Ornate - it is stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock.  My sentiment is stamped with Melon Mambo Classic Ink.  The bird ephemera has the perfect colors and is from a wonderful book I picked up recently at Borders called "Vintage Collage Works - Artful Ideas with Antique Ephemera".  You should take a look at it - there are some interesting tips and the last pages are filled with beautiful images.


The seam binding is dyed to a lovely shade of mottled pink and I crocheted a little heart to add to my bow.  Here's a link to the tutorial over at Little Birdie Secrets - so simple and so sweet.  Tucked behind the bow is a leaf cut from a scrap of old Designer Series Paper.  A bit of added glitter helped it be seen behind all that bow.   I added a couple pearl beads to my jem-topped pin to give it some "presence".  Lastly, my collection of tiny flowers gave up one of it's blooms for a special spot on this card.


I hope you enjoyed your visit - thank you for stopping by today!

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17 comments:

  1. Very nice and romantic card. Love the crocheted heart embellishment. Can't wait to do some of these.

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  2. What a lovely card - with such lovely textures!

    Wishing you a Happy New Year.

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  3. Your blog makes me happy; every time I visit your blog there is a reason for me to smile and say aww.... Joanne this is breathtaking. I discovered your blog a few months ago and I love love love to be here. When I look at your cards; so gorgeous and so much inspiration. My cards are not as gorgeous as yours; I wish that one day I could make a card like you :) Thank you for all the fabulous inspiration!!! Happy New Year!

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  4. A beautiful card, so much detail.

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  5. Oh wow, so beautiful, soft and romantic, love it!
    have a wonderful new day of 2011! Joanne!

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  6. A gorgeous card! That crocheted heart is so darling! Bird image is lovely too...all very pretty!!!

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  7. How sweet is that crocheted heart?!!!! Love how you've layered it too :) Such a romantic card. Thanks so much for playing with us in the play date cafe this week. Happy New Year!

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  8. LOVELY card and thanks for the link to the crocheted heart, not that I'll have any more success than I did with the crocheted flower!!! LOVE the bird and the Snug Hug!

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  9. What a lovely creation Joanne - such pretty lace, papers and wonderful bird!

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  10. So pretty Joanne! Love the crocheted heart! Happy New Year :)

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  11. Pretty!!!! love all the details on the card!!

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  12. What a lovely post. Such a wonderful attitute to take on this New Year. I think I will do the same. :)

    Your card is so pretty. So many pretty little elements.. Love it!

    Hugs, Linda

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  13. Beautiful card, Joanne! Hope you start some water coloring. Use your inks or your pencils. I look forward to some cards with some good wcolored props!

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  14. Gorgeous card, love the sweet crochet heart!!

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  15. Happy New Year Joanne
    Wow! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL card!... love every detail, especially the crochet heart.. Looks Fab!
    Thanks for the inspiration.

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  16. Sigh. I simply adore your vintage style! I just posted a card today using the same frame from Notably Ornate; love that set.

    We are so glad you joined us at the Play Date Cafe this week!

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  17. OH! This is a gorgeous vintage card-love that bird and the layers! Great card:) Thanks so much for joining in the fun over at the Cafe and for playing along with us at PDCC:}

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