Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Chickadee

Hello everyone!  A dear friend of mine just found out she has a malignancy and is scheduled for surgery this Thursday.  I usually do not like to ask for favors, but I am asking a HUGE one of all Christian bloggers that may read this to add my friend to your prayers this week. I am a true believer that God hears each and everyone of our prayers and thoughts, and desires us to pray together.  Thank you!

I've made this card for my friend to remind her that God is with her every step of the way and hopefully bring her some quiet Christmas cheer.  I was inspired to paint a chickadee as the focal point when I saw a pair of them sitting on my feeder just singing their little hearts out. I love their sweet little voices!  These are one of my favorite birds and I could watch them for hours.  They are not shy, and often hang around when I'm working in the garden. This is a year round bird in this area, but seem to increase in numbers in the winter season.


My background is painted with Distress paints which I  swiped on my craft mat, spritzed with water, and then I dragged a high quality smooth paper through the puddle.  Dried and re-swiped several times until I got the look I was happy with. Once completely dry, I spritzed with Perfect Pearl spray mist.  I embossed with a Sizzix folder , sanded the raised areas and swiped on Distress ink.


I cut a piece of  plain white card stock using Nestibilites  Labels Twenty-Two die, embossed with Sizzix folder, swiped some gesso over random raised areas with a credit card and dried.  Once completely dried I inked with Distress ink and wiped with a damp paper towel.  This provides such an beautiful array of shades using just one ink color.  This is one of my favorite techniques.  I wiped on some Distress stain on the raised areas and around the edge with my finger.

The rectangular strip was a done in the same manner, but instead of the stain I heat embossed areas with Ranger embossing tinsel.  I also spritzed with Tattered Angels glimmer mist before the embossing. The embossing folder for this layer is a Tim Holtz Texture Fade.

I cut the frame with Nestibilities Opulent Ovals die, left the die in place to use as a mask, and inked with Distress ink. I embossed with the die, dabbed with Ranger's embossing dabber, and embossed with the Embossing Tinsel used above.



I cut the oval from watercolor paper with Nestibilities  Classic Ovals Large die, left the die in place, stamped with a unidentified chickadee stamp from 100 years ago, and watercolored with Distress inks and markers, using a water brush.  Who needs watercolors anymore?  When dry, I removed the die. A close resemblance to the birds I see out my window.

My foliage was cut from Kraft Core cardstock using Tim Holtz'  Festive Greenery strip die and sanded.  I added some Stickles Rock Candy and Distress Rock Candy Glitter for a little frosting effect.  The berries were rescued from an old wreath and hoarded to use in my crafts. They were given a little Distress glitter treatment.



I chose this sentiment, as it is what we were talking about the other day, and my friend asked me to remind her daily that God is indeed walking with her through this uncertain journey. I put the sentiment inside to keep the card face uncluttered.



I hope my card will give her a little Christmas cheer that she will so terribly need in the upcoming weeks. Sadly, her Mom passed away from cancer 2 Christmas' ago. Thank you for visiting my blog, for your prayers if you wish and also for the very heart warming comments you leave.



I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

Frilly and Funkie "A Vintage Holiday"

Country View Challenges Festive December Challenge "Nostalgic Christmas"

A Vintage Journey #20 "Birds of a Feather"

Craft Hoarders Anonymous "Celebrate the Season"

Inspiration Journal "Sing, Sing It Loud!" The birds outside my window which inspired this card were singing their little hearts out!

The Artistic Stamper Creative Team "Anything Goes"

Fashionable Stamping Challenges #87 Winter Wonderland

Just Us Girls #270 Word Week "Sparkle" It's hard not to have a little sparkle this time of the year!  What a fun challenge blog!

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful card.....love the design, colors and that wonderful sentiment. Prayers for your friend. I hope all goes well. Thanks for joining us this week at Just Us Girls!

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    1. Thank you for your prayers and for your sweet comment!

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  2. Lovely bird card! Thanks for joining in at JUGS!

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  3. This is absolutely gorgeous and a true labor of love! Beautiful results with the Distress Inks. Sending prayers for your friend. Thanks for playing with us at JUGS!

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    1. Thank you for your prayers for my friend! And thank you for those wonderful, sweet comments about my card!

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  4. What a beautiful card, the texture on the card is so lovely and the bird is painted to perfection. Thanks for joining us here at A Vintage Journey.

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  5. Oh Sara I'm sure this beautiful card will really lift your friend's spirits. Count me in on sending up a prayer. I so hope all goes well and there's a positive outcome. Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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    1. Jenny, Thank you for your prayers for my friend and for your sweet comment about my card!

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  6. A gorgeous card Sara, love your textured layers and the little bird is stunning. Thanks for joining us at AVJ and good luck.
    Hope your friends surgery is successful.
    Julie x

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    1. Thank you for your thoughts for my friend and for your sweet comment on my card:).

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  7. Cute card, love your bird and your coloring. Love how you used all the spellbinders. Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Thank you, Donna. I don't have many of the Spellbinders dies, but I'm getting a lot of inspiration at CHA to use the ones I do have. I think I used all that I own on this one card:)!

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  8. This is a beautiful bird card! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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  9. This is absolutely stunning Sara! The pearl sprays really give everything such a divine shimmer! Gorgeous bird stamp (even though it is a hundred years old) lol. My thoughts and wishes go out to your friend for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery! holiday hugs :)

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    1. Pamellia, you always say the nicest things! I appreciate you thoughts for my friend. Her surgery went well, and she is home for the holidays!

      I'm surprised I've never used these stamps (there a 4 different birds...chickadees are my favorite), and I have no idea how I even acquired them...probably in a box of other stuff at a yard sale:)! I think they will get more use, since I really love water coloring.Have a Merry Christmas!

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  10. This is a stunning card, love the textures and sparkle. That's a beautiful image too.
    Thanks for sharing with us at FSC
    Avril

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Avril!

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  11. This is such a beautiful card! I'm sure that your friend will appreciate it.
    Thank you for sharing it with us at The Artistic Stamper.
    Alison

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    1. Thank you, Alison! What a lovely comment from you!

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  12. Such a sweet card - I love the frosted textured frame. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey, and playing along at Artistic Stamper too.
    Alison xx

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    1. Thank you, Alison! What a wonderful comment to receive from such a talented lady as you!
      I've enjoyed the Secret Santa Swap over at A Vintage Journey (wish I was a Creative Guide!) and although I have not been to visit your blog yet, I've seen your wonderful card you made for Julia. It's is stunning! Hoping to get over for a closer look today! I know I'm in for a real treat!

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  13. Sara Emily, I will certainly be praying for your friend. I, too, believe that God hears and answers prayers....I pray she will be restored to perfect health, and encouraged in her heart. I pray that the pure love of God fills every cell of her being, leaving no room for malignancy, illness or fear. I know she will be cheered and encouraged by this gorgeous card. Each layer is lovingly wrought and beautifully created. I love the vintage shine you achieved here...and the subtle texture. Your watercolored bird is so sweet...and a favorite of mine as well. Thanks for providing me with a refreshing and inspiring break in my day! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Wow, Kathy! First let me thank you so much for taking time to pray for my friend. I know the prayers have helped her through the surgery. We are waiting for a pathology report...always tense days, when we need our faith the most. Thank you!
      Secondly, thank you for your very generous praise for the work on my card. I'm so happy I could provide that little break for YOU! You have certainly made my day! Hugs!

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  14. Gorgeous card! Love those beautiful blue tones in the background, setting that pretty bird off to perfection! Thanks so much for adding it to our challenge over at A Vintage Journey!

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    1. Thank you, Astrid! What a lovely thing to say! I am enjoying visiting all the blogs over at A Vintage Journey for the Secret Santa Swap! Your little book you made for Alison is JAW DROP GORGEOUS! Love that cover, and the poem inside is so sweet. I can see why it's a favorite...you have certainly done it justice with this beautiful book. Merry Christmas! Enjoy your journey!

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  15. Your card is gorgeous!! I also feed birds and have Black Cap Chickadees at my feeders from dawn to dusk. They are the sweetest little creatures. I pray your friend has a successful procedure and full recovery. Thanks so much for joining us at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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    1. Thank you, Nancy, for your wonderful compliment, your prayers for my friend and for sharing your love of chickadees with me! I'm blessed to work outdoors and take care of wild birds, so I have quite an appreciation for these sweeties! Hugs!

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  16. Your card is wonderful. I love the colors and texture. I know that I am late to read this, but many prayers for your friend as she goes though this process. I will keep here lifted up to our Lord Jesus.

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    1. Thank you so much, Gloria! Your sincere prayers mean so much to me, and I know they are heard by Him! She is getting her pathology report back today.

      Thank you for your compliment on my card, as well. It was definitely made with love.

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