Monday 2 July 2012

A little Shabby Chicness

Good morning all,
Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments you left for me on my last post.  It was heartwarming to read such kind words.
I am sorry but todays post is a very short one as I am still really busy and although I have actually gotten through all the washing my son brought back with him from University, I am still clearing up and catching up.   It is so good to see Anthony back in his room and even my grandson, who came for Sunday roast with his mummy today, was all smiles for his uncle.   I think he missed him and his teasing ways.  It was lovely to hear him giggling away as Anthony sat there just raising his eyebrows at him.   He thought it was hilarious, bless him. 
Ok, lets get on with the card.

This card was inspired by an old but very beautiful stamp that I had actually stamped and coloured months ago and put aside (and forgotten about, if I am honest).  I had stamped and coloured it twice, then cut out one rose to decoupage onto the other complete piece.  It reminded me instantly of the beautiful papers I have left from a freebie pack by Nitwits and I could see a shabby chic card in my minds eye.


I love shabby chic but never do enough of it; please don't ask me why as I couldn't honestly tell you.  I am so glad I found this image today as it has gotten me in the mood to do more now.  Mind you, when you see the card I have for you tomorrow; you will wonder if I am talking through my hat.........LOL!!
I decorated the inside again as I thought it would just finish it off perfectly.
 The lace I used was some self adhesive pieces that I bought at the local WHAT store; they were very reasonable and very, very pretty.  This was the thinnest piece but it also came with some 40mm pieces too.

On the front of the card I embellished the corners with some Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and some twisties.  I make the twisties using paper coated wire wrapped around a narrow pencil, then they are dipped in glue and finally dipped into Decoballs.  I love the effect it gives them and it isn't hasn't quite so much bling as microbeads or glitter; I didn't think this card called for either of them.


The shaped matts I used were a large X Cut set I purchased some time ago from Hobbycraft.  They are a little different and the sizes are perfect for larger cards (A5 and upwards).
I hope you like todays card as much as I enjoyed making it.  I will be honest, making cards at 3am is not always the best on your eyes but it is wonderful therapy when you cannot sleep!!
I will try to get back after lunch with my Monday Quotation (lets hope my grandson has his afternoon nap).
Have a lovely week all and be safe.  Thank you for stopping by.   Linda xx

28 comments:

  1. Hi Linda, feels good to have your chick back safely in yhe nest, ay! I colouring of your rose is beautiful, I also like shabby chic but don't use the style very often, enjoy the day with your family, best wishes Lesley xx

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    1. Thanks Lesley, it is wonderful to have him back. It feels like a family home again.
      Hugs Linda x

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  2. Hi Linda,
    a wonderful creation today. Love the colour combination and style. The shop called Whats is a fab shop I love searching through it when I'm visiting my sister. As I mentioned before not made any shabby chic or vintage cards before. I don't know why, but I must have a go one day. Have another great crafty day everyone. The sun is shinning at the mo in Kent, I hope its the same where ever you are.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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    1. Hi Jenny, I don't get to What very often, but like you I like to spend a little time to rummage around and see what they have. You can often find some fabulous items really inexpensively that other places sell at twice the price. Anyway it's nice to spend some time just looking around for a bit. Glad you have had good weather today, we have had torrential rain here. It has eased up now but it is still wet. Maybe one day I will see you at What for a rummage and a chat!
      Hugs Linda x

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  3. Stunning card Linda. I love the image and you have coloured it beautifully. The papers and embellishments all tie in perfectly and I love how you have decorated the inside of the card too - I always seem to forget to do that.
    I hope you have a good day
    hugs Sue

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    1. Thanks Sue, I haven't always done it myself, but lately it just seems to happen. I think I just like the way it looks now and I also have a little more time to do it on occasions.
      Hope you have had a dry day. Hugs Linda x

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  4. Morning Linda

    What a great card! Just lovely. Like Jenny I don't do vintage or chabby chic and yet I have some lovely papers. Perhaps now is the time to experiment. I always decorate the inside of my cards for special occasions or special birthdays but otherwise I don't. Yet I always think how well it finishes off the card and it doesn't actually take that much longer so maybe I will will do more of that now.

    It's like winter here in Oxfordshire - cold, windy and even a bit of drizzle in the air. We call it "sea fret" where I come from in the north east. My husband from Lancashire calls it "moor grime." Whatever it is - it's pretty miserable to say it's supposed to be summer! A crafting day methinks!

    love from Christine x

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    1. Hi Christine,
      Your cards are lovely, I know as I just received one!! Thank you so much, it is gorgeous and you are so kind. I have put it on my craftroom wall with the other beautiful cards I have been lucky enough to receive from wonderful crafters. I know how much work has gone into them and so they are given pride of place on my wall. I aim to decorate the whole wall with cards (will save on wallpaper won't it....LOL!!)
      Hope your 'sea fret/moor grime' has eased up. It seems more like autumn around here. We even had bad thunderstorms with thick hail last week.
      Take care Linda x

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  5. Hi Linda

    This really is my type of card-just love it. Unlike your previous commenters Lesley, Sue,Jenny and Christine, I must admit that I mainly do this style of card. I try others but always come back to what I'm happiest with.Like you I now always do the inside of the card too.
    Rotten gloomy day here today-wind and rain and not a day for walking the dogs!
    Crafting will most certainly be on the menu.

    Take care
    Eileen x

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    1. Hi Eileen,
      Well I can understand your love of Shabby Chic, it is quite an addictive style and the reason I like it is that more often than not you can adapt many papers to use for this style.
      I hope you managed to do a bit of crafting and the dogs didn't complain too much.
      Thanks for your continued support. Hugs Linda x

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  6. Hi Linda

    Your card is beautiful Linda I love it. I'm glad you are enjoying your time with your Son. We are hoping to go to see the olympic torch today if it does'nt rain to much and then tomorrow is all about Charlie as it's his first Birthday. Only feels like yesterday that I had him. Well enjoy your day.

    Hugs
    Kelly

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    1. Hi Kelly,
      I do hope you managed to get to see the torch go through and it didn't rain too badly with you. It was torrential here for a while.
      Happy Birthday to your lovely son. You must be so proud and so grateful to have him healthy and happy. Enjoy every minute with him sweetie while you can, they grow up so very fast.
      Big Hugs Linda x

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  7. Hi Linda

    This is another fantastic card and so much work has gone into it, it really is beautiful. I too love shabby chic but have not produced anything as yet but your recent cards have so inspired me I just keep looking for the papers. Have seen some great Mariposa ones so will add this to my wish list LOL. As I've commented before the way you decorate the inside gives it that special touch, something you would never get in a card shop.

    Miserable day here in Somerset so indoor activities today, hopefully will include some crafting.

    Hope your day is going well lovely lady!
    Love & hugs Christine H xx

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    1. Thank you Christine, I was pleased with how this one turned out. A little hint for you, don't look at papers that are JUST shabby chic, make them shabby yourself. This is what I do to mine.
      1. Scratch the edges of the paper with the blade of a pair of scissors or a distressing tool
      2. Add just a hint of Antique Paper distress ink to the edges (other colours inc Tea dye, walnut stain can be used for darker papers and you can do this before the scratching too)
      3. If you want even more shabbyness use a light sand paper directly to the paper face. Fine grade can lighten the paper, while medium grade will scratch it
      I hope that helps alittle and gets you started without any further expense until you decide if it's for you or not.
      Hope tomorrow is a brighter day. Hugs Linda x

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    2. Thank you Linda for taking the time to give me yet more hints and tips, very much appreciated.
      Hugs Christine H xx

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  8. Hi Linda, this is yet another beautiful, well thought out card!! I love evrything about it!!!...xxxx

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    1. Hi, you mentioned you were poorly the other day, so I looked for your blog to check on you but unfortunately, you haven't one. Anyway, I do hope you are feeling better. Thank you so much for the lovely comment.
      May I ask your name please, as I assume Cazanne is not your given name? However, if I am wrong, please forgive me.
      Have a good week. Linda x

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  9. Hi Linda, what an absolutely beautiful creation this is and the colouring of your rose is gorgeous! Glad your enjoying your time with your lad home from Uni Carole Z X

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    1. Thank you Carole, you are so kind. I coloured that rose a while ago now, before I had my pencils or my promarkers, so it isn't very well shaded etc, but it suited the card ok.
      It's fab having Anthony home. He has no idea how much I miss him when he is gone, but that's boys for you. Too much emotion and they shut off!
      Have a lovely week. Hugs Linda x

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  10. Hi Linda - wow this is beautiful - I love shabby chic. Love the rose, dies and papers - everything. It all goes so well together. Glad you have managed to do all the washing - did he look sheepish when he gave it to you? LOL Hope you are having a lovely time with him home.

    Hugs Sue P - from a very wet Nottingham. xx

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    1. To be honest Sue, Anthony never looks sheepish. He waltzes in and says 'where do you want it?'. He knows I am a soft touch, so he gets away with murder. LOL!
      Thank you for your lovely comment, I am so pleased that everyone has liked this one, as I liked it myself too.
      Hope you have a drier day tomorrow. I am praying for some sunshine as I can't take much more of this horrid rain.
      Linda xx

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  11. Linda this is so beautiful full of loveliness what a fab creation well done hugs Elaine

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    1. Thank you Elaine,
      I enjoyed making this one. It is totally different to my card for tomorrow, but I do so love to mix it up!
      Hope your good, family too. Hugs Linda x

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  12. What a beautiful card ,hope you have agreat time with your son .Melanie

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    1. Thank you Melanie, I am sure I will. The trouble is the time flies by doesn't it. I do hope you are well and keeping strong.
      Hugs Linda xx

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  13. Good evening Linda, this is just absolutely stunning, I don't know how you do it, especially as you must be tired creating them late at night! I hope that I can make such beautiful cards like this one day! I have been busy trying to make favour boxes for my daughters wedding, which is at the end of the month, I can't believe it is now nearly here, with still so much to do, as my mind has been distracted of late, I really need to get crafting. Enjoy your son being at home, my son is back too after working away, I'm trying to get used to him being here! Take care Alison :)

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  14. Hi buffy here, I love the the colours and picture.Great choice of flowers,Thanks for all the nice comments.

    xoxox

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  15. Linda this is so beautiful what a fabulous card, I love everything about it even those twiddly things in your flower arrangement , fabulous work well done Hugs Elaine

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