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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

32 comments:

Fleur said...

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

Tracey T said...

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

Anita said...

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!

Unknown said...

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

Sue U said...

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

Claudia said...

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

Michelle said...

Beautiful card Mary J, your friend will love it.

I love the flowers.

Michelle :-)

Sandy Ang said...

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.

Pöydän kulmalla näpertelijä said...

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

Pami said...

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

cowboydutrem said...

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...

debby4000 said...

Adorable sweet card Mary.
luv
Debby

Anonymous said...

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

Helen Ann said...

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

Cindy Haffner said...

Ohh my gosh this is way to CUTE

Whimsey said...

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

Hayley @ funkyfarmscrapbookbarn.co.uk said...

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 :)

Lisa Jane said...

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 ;)

chris said...

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

craftymum said...

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

Silli said...

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

pinky said...

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

LORi said...

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

Hugs - LORi

Nikbee said...

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

Delphine said...

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

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

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

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

-Sarah

Mandy said...

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

Highland Handmade said...

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

Michele Spera said...

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

Jodi said...

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

Sally Cicada Designs said...

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)

Lisa said...

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

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