Thursday 5 July 2012

Red, white and blue

Good morning all
I am so pleased you liked Jennys card and the quotations in yesterdays post.  I do so love to see the work of our smashing non-bloggers and I thank them for trusting me to show their work.  I hope they continue to do so.
I wanted to post this card yesterday afternoon in recognition of the 4th July for all our American friends, but unfortunately the glossy accents didn't dry in time to take any pictures.  So it is a little late but, as they say, better late than never.
I was inspired to create something to celebrate the year 2012: British year for the Queens Jubilee and Olympics and of course, as mentioned Independence Day in the USA.
I didn't want to just stamp an array of fireworks, that would have been too easy, so, this is my creation and an interpretation.


Here's to the red, white and blue.  



First I embossed the background with Spellbinders EL-003 Patchwork (Side A - freeform flowers), I thought this pattern echod the swirling of fireworks perfectly.  In the center of each I put a small drop of glossy accents and then poured over clear glass microbeads.  I wanted them to resemble the twinkling stars in the night sky (I did think about doing the background in the navy cardstock to represent the skyline better but it didn't come across as bright and celebratory as the red did).








Next I used a rosette to resemble a catherine wheel with the foliage as the bright colourful sparks shooting off into the night air.  My blue crystal pin is the nail that holds the catherine wheel to the wooden stake or garden shed.





Finally I needed something to make the whole thing a little more tangible and that is where the lace came in.  I imagined people looking out of their windows from behind the net curtains, hoping for a glimpse of the wonderful display outside; everyone celebrating together.


So there you have it.  My imagination at work.......................................... what do you think?
I am sad to report that I have received one opinion already and it was not a favourable one, unfortunately. I was told it is too gawdy! :( .   But I am not upset really, it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing and we would all be making the same cards, not good!!. LOL

I hope you all have a rewarding day today and possibly some crafting time thrown in with the mix.
Take care  and I will see you all again soon.   Hugs Linda xx

I am entering my card in the following challenges:-
Penny Paper-Crafty  Challenge No.83 - Red, white & blue(11/7)
Celebrate the Occasion  Challenge No.69 - 4th July (9/7)
Craft Punked  Week 26 - American Independence Day
Divas by Design  Challenge No.42 - Red, white & blue(10/7)
Creatalicious Challenges  Challenge No.35 - Anything Goes (14/7)
Creating Memories in Time  Independence Day Challenge(13/7)
The Cupcake Craftroom  July Challenge - Layers (End mth)
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges  Challenge 16 - Anything Goes (13/7 )
Mema's Crafts  July Challenge - Anything Goes (15&30/7)
Party Time Tuesdays  PTT #75 - Be patriotic (9/7)

36 comments:

  1. I really love the embossing folder you've used and the rosette with all of those scrumptious dies are amazing. Beautiful work

    Shelby

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  2. Hi Linda,
    I think this card is fantastic, there was a lot of thought put into this one, and I really like the explanation. Just love the rosette too. Have a great crafty sunny day everyone, as it's very dull here in Kent.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  3. Hi Linda, I think it's great...sings out Independence Day and I love the rosette! You made me feel guilty, as I didn't make the effort with a card for this Holiday yesterday, particularly as I have a lot of American family! I'll have to make it up at Thanksgiving! Happy Crafting folks....Carole Z X

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  4. Was your unfavourable comment by a young family member by any chance? They are never short of an opinion. A great card Linda. Really brings out the patriotic spirit with that red, white and blue - whichever side of the pond you live. I must admit I loved seeing all the bunting for the Jubilee festivities. I loved how you were able to demonstrate in words the rationale for your card. The net curtain analogy was brilliant! Good luck with your challenge entries.

    I'll be away now for a few days now so I'll sign in when I get back to see what beauties I have missed.

    love from Christine x

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  5. WOW!! This is wonderful Linda, I love how you have put everything together with so much thought and the colours are just fantastic.
    We had better weather yesterday and today is looking promising too. Better make the most of it, I don't think it will last!!

    Take care
    Hugs Sue

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  6. Hi Linda, well I think the card is wonderful, it depicts the spirit of America very well, everything there is bigger and brasher than here, but that their pride in their country. Perhaps we should have a bit more brashness, I don't mean in the towie sense but pride of where we come from. the Americans know where they come from, we seem to have lost our way a little. Well that's my spout for the day Put the G back in "GREAT BRITAIN" have a great day, Best wishes, Lesley xx

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  7. Morning sweetie, my this is so stunning, fabulous design and colours, gorgeous sweetie, hugs Pops x x x

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  8. This is lovely Linda! I really like the rosette and the lace! Good luck with the challenges!x

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  9. What a fun card, lively and colourful, celebrating a great year for GB; love the rosette. Good luck in all the challenges Linda. Anne x

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  10. Hi Linda

    This is a very striking card and so well designed. I wish you success with all the challenges.

    Take care
    Eileen x

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  11. Morning Linda, well I for one (as the comments above) love this card. So much thought has gone into this and the way you have brought in the elements to represent the stars and strips is brilliant! Ooooh, and that pin! Any American would be thrilled to receive this card, in fact not just Americans. Keep those ideas coming Linda, we so appreciate them. Off to do some ironing, what fun lol!
    Love & hugs Christine H xx

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  12. P.S. So sorry, meant to wish you good luck with the challenges xx

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  13. This is such a beautiful card Linda - you must be really proud!!! Before I read the description I first thought of New Orleans and those wonderful river boats with the huge wheels - this card us truly American! I love all the colours, the lace and especially the rosette. I wish you luck in all the challenges you are entering.

    This is a great card!!!

    Hugs Sue Pass xx

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  14. Your card is really pretty love the wheel and die cut outs thanks for playing along at Divas by Design
    -Sheryl-

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  15. Lovely card. Loving the catherine wheel.
    Thanks for joining us at Craft Punked this week and Good Luck!
    dxxx

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  16. Brilliant card. I love the lace.
    Sarah-Jane xx

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  17. Wonderful card Linda!Love the lace:)
    Kisses,
    Sonia

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  18. Looks fab - love the texture and the rosette too - thanks for joining us at Craft Punked this week x

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  19. pretty, thanks for playing @ CTO!

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  20. WOW THIS IS STUNNING I love the background, alot of work has gone into this creations ,weather been absolutly stunning here in kent nearly got my shorts out but doing a lot to the garden didn`t think it was wise ,Good Luck in the challanges .Hugs Melanie x

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  21. This is fab!!! I like the way your imagination works...:)..It "works" for me...:)..xxx

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  22. I think it's fab. I love how you have used the bits to make it into fireworks. You are so very clever. I like red, white and blue aswell so it's a winner all round for me.

    Hugs
    Kelly

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  23. Fabulous card Linda, a real labour of love! Thanks for joining Craft Punked this week and good luck :) x

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  24. Gorgeous card Linda, I love your lace too. I hope you are well. :o)
    Hugs Teresa xx

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  25. Absolutely fabulous card, just love everything about it, the embossing, the lace, the pins the rosette, the foliage, everything just compliments each other. I wish you all the luck you so deserve in the challenges. Take care Alison :)

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  26. hey sweet Linda, thanks for stooping by my blog, it is always a treat! Your card is stunning, I adore the rosette, the lace, and the colors...gorgeous! Thank you for wishing your US friends a happy 4th, very kind of you! I wanted to also let you know that as far as the Verve website states, yes we do ship to the UK. Please go to the following link and read it to be sure. Pick up several sets, Verve sentiments, scriptures, and verses are the best! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    here is the link
    http://shopverve.com/info.html

    hugs sweety *~*

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  27. This is another super card , fabulous richh, bright colours a real happy card. Love your rosette its fab and the lace is a super finish on it, gosh you have been making some stunning cards lately well done , I guess you are feeling a little better . Hugs Elaine

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  28. I love the flowers, So fantastic and elegant.
    We would like to thank you for Entering Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards Challenge.
    Hugs from Tammy Ortiz - DT Digi Team for Chocolate, Coffee & Cards.

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  29. Gorgeous card I love it, this would be perfect for the LEJ Designs Challenge this week. Chris xx

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  30. Lovely job on the red, white and blue! You covered a lot of countries beautifully! Love the embossing and your fanned circle, very nice! AND, whoever said it was gawdy is sadly mistaken! It's lovely ~ beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I guess we all have different tastes. But gawdy, never, lol! So happy to have you with us at CC&CC and I hope your return soon! Aloha, Joanne.

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  31. Absolutely gorgeous! I love the rosette and the detail you've added to this card. It sings patriotism and I am proud of those colors. Love it! Thanks for joining us at Mema's Crafts and sharing your talent.

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  32. Great card. Love all the fab details. Thanks for sharing with us at Penny's and good luck.
    Mags
    x

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  33. This is an absolutely GORGEOUS card! Wow! Hugs, Lesley

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  34. A really lovely card!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "Red, White & Blue" challenge & good luck in the draw…

    Melanie
    (DT Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges)

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  35. Such pretty details on your pretty card, lovely! Thanks for sharing with us this week @ CTO for our "4th of July" Challenge :)

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  36. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love all the texture and layers! Thank you for joining us this month for the layers challenge at The Cupcake Craftroom!

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