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Sunday 2 January 2011

Happy dance

My first card of 2011!  This a congratulations card for one of my work friends who is leaving the British Isles and moving to the Middle East.  I'm very sad to see her go, but of course very happy that she's following her dreams and has the guts to move abroad!  I've been thinking of emigrating to New Zealand but keep putting it off - I really should be brave and try it out!  Anyway, here is the card...

 
 
 
My friend is a secretary but in her personal time she teaches ballet, hence the choice of image!  I used the Claudia & Company monthly challenge to try the spotlight technique where you spotlight a portion of the card.  I'm not sure if I interpreted this right!  I basically coloured in the background figures in very pale colours with my Copics to give them a washed out look and then used the darker shades for the main image to "spotlight" her.  Here's a close up so you can see what I mean...

 
Right, off to bed so I can get up early and sneak in some more crafting before Steve gets up!


I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Bo Bunny dot paper
Stamps: Claudia & Company Lollipop Avery digi stamp, My Favorite Things happy thoughts sentiments (you can buy here in the UK)
Mediums: Copics
Accents: organza ribbon, Papermania pearls
Tools: My Favorite Things Di-namics rolled rose flower die (you can buy here in the UK), Nestabilities label dies
at

32 comments:

  1. Fleur2 January 2011 at 00:26

    An absolute stunning card, so pretty & your flowers are awesome
    Happy new year
    Hugz fleur xxx

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  2. Tracey T2 January 2011 at 00:48

    Happy New Year Mary J! I love the shape of this card and your spotlighting technique is very effective! Btw, my sister emigrated to NZ almost 20 years ago and has never looked back - it's a really beautiful place. Hugs Tracey T x

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  3. Anita2 January 2011 at 00:59

    Wow, Mary, this is absolutely gorgeous. I love how you've stamped the little ballerina. The papers and ribbon are gorgeous and I really love your rolled flowers...mine never turn out that pretty lol!

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  4. Unknown2 January 2011 at 01:05

    Super cute card! I am sure your friend will love it :)

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  5. Sue U2 January 2011 at 01:19

    Fabulous shaped card, love it!! Great idea to colour one of the images brighter than the rest - really makes it pop!! Loving the flowers too, mine never look like that! great idea with the pearl in the middle too :-)

    Hope you get lots of crafting done in the morning, and Happy New Year to you both

    Hugs, Sue xx

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  6. Claudia2 January 2011 at 04:41

    Hi Mary, your card is stunning. I am so sure your friend will love it. Thank you so much for joining us in our challenge. Happy New Year! Hugs, Claudia

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  7. Michelle2 January 2011 at 05:42

    Beautiful card Mary J, your friend will love it.

    I love the flowers.

    Michelle :-)

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  8. Sandy Ang2 January 2011 at 07:59

    Love your colourful and sassy card. Hope next year is just as creative and fabulous for you. If you have a fav project of 2010, come by and it link up.

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  9. Pöydän kulmalla näpertelijä2 January 2011 at 09:10

    Wow! Gorgeous colouring and a cute card. I'm sure she'll love it.

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  10. Pami2 January 2011 at 09:23

    Hi Mary, fabulous, I love those flowers and ribbon in the corner. I've not seen this technique with the image, it's a great idea. Have a great day. Pami x

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  11. cowboydutrem2 January 2011 at 09:24

    Love your spotlight technique!!! Beautiful card! Me too, I've been thinking of New Zealand, but as it's not at all my husband's dream... well, maybe one day we'll go on holidays but no more than that...

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  12. debby40002 January 2011 at 09:51

    Adorable sweet card Mary.
    luv
    Debby

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  13. Anonymous2 January 2011 at 10:57

    Gorgeous card, love the shape and colours! I think your spotlighting was a success!
    Helen x

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  14. Helen Ann2 January 2011 at 11:29

    absolutely gorgeous love the image and how you've done it with the pale ones too. And your flowers are fabulous - love them x

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  15. Cindy Haffner2 January 2011 at 14:49

    Ohh my gosh this is way to CUTE

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  16. Whimsey2 January 2011 at 15:53

    WOW; what a great card; LOVE the unique shape and how you colored the other images lightly and then spotlighted the main ballerina. FABULOUS!!!!

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  17. Hayley @ funkyfarmscrapbookbarn.co.uk2 January 2011 at 16:26

    WOW!!! This is stunning Mary! I love the shape, those gorgeous flowers and the colouring/highlighted ballerina is a fantastic idea. Oh and the title, bow... ... yes I think just about everything!
    I have a friend who emmigrated to New Zealand with her family. They've settled very well although they can't get used to Christmas on a beach. They're still having aftershocks from that earthquake months ago at the moment and it's finally taken it's toll on the house. They love it out there though and it's a beautiful country. You should follow your dreams :)

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  18. Lisa Jane2 January 2011 at 17:25

    Hi Mary - i love the shape of the card and the technique.. your friend will love it. especially the Gorgeous flowers
    Happy New year ( have i said that once??)Lisa ;)

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  19. chris2 January 2011 at 17:33

    How Gorgeous is this its PERFECT.
    hugs chris xx
    hope you have a happy and healthy 2011.

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  20. craftymum2 January 2011 at 19:00

    Hi Mary
    Such a gorgeous card and I love the bright red!I would certainly be interested in the die you told me about. Just let me know how much.
    Looking forward to all your creation this year
    hugs sarah X

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  21. Silli2 January 2011 at 19:47

    wow--- zers girl, your card is beautiful!

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  22. pinky2 January 2011 at 21:03

    Super cute image and love how you highlighted one of the images more than the others. Just such a pretty card.

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  23. LORi2 January 2011 at 21:48

    Wow Mary....Total CUTENESS!!!! So happy you shared with us at the C&Co. Challenges!!

    Hugs - LORi

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  24. Nikbee3 January 2011 at 10:59

    A gorgeous card. I love the shape and the image is fab. I've not been to NZ, but many of my friends are from there and say it is a beautiful country.
    We love being over here, but being away from family and friends is hard and having a warm winter is very strange!
    Nikki x

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  25. Delphine3 January 2011 at 18:16

    Your card is gorgeous, Mary J! I love the shape and the image with the background you have made! And the flowers are awesome! Hugs Delphine xx

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  26. email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com3 January 2011 at 18:56

    GORGEOUS flowers and ribbon!! I like the image too!

    Thanks so much for entering the Simon Says Stamp Challenge!!!

    -Sarah

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  27. Mandy4 January 2011 at 00:13

    Mary your card is absolutely gorgeous, I love the way you have the more faded images in the background.
    Happy New Year and thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp
    hugs Mandy xx

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  28. Highland Handmade4 January 2011 at 00:26

    Wow thatc darn clever!! and absolutely cute!! love it! x

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  29. Michele Spera4 January 2011 at 14:16

    Really cute image! Love how you faded the others in the background, Very Nice
    Thank you for joining us at Sundays with Crissy
    XMicheleX

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  30. Jodi6 January 2011 at 22:57

    Such a cute cute card!! I love the shape and color combo! Thanks for joining us at Sunday's with Crissy!!
    Hugs
    Jodi =)

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  31. Sally Cicada Designs18 January 2011 at 15:25

    Fantastic card!!! Love how you did the background dancers in subdued colours!! Your colouring is amazing and the shape of your card and your design details are very eye-catching!! I am so glad I stopped in to take a look!! Thanks for sharing this with us at Sundays With Crissy!
    Hugs,
    Sarah :o)

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  32. Lisa23 January 2011 at 20:18

    This is so pretty! Thanks for joining us at Sunday's with Crissy!

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Hello! Thank you for taking the time for any comments, advice or thoughts you may wish to leave for me - I really appreciate you taking the time!

Mary J x