Thursday, December 31, 2009

a brace of cardinals

i didn't set out to make two quite plain cardinal cards, it just sort of happened. i needed a couple of wintery--but not christmassy--thank you cards, and when i saw this picture on the cover of the ll bean catalog, i thought how perfectly suited it was to the task! there's a bit of a winter-themed poem by shelley* on there, and some machine stitching, and some rhinestones... (which are covering up the spelling error in my first attempt at typing the poem) ...and that's it.

i liked the first card enough that when i needed another, i decided to look for a cardinal picture in broderbund printshop's clipart gallery, and i really liked this watercolory, slightly abstract one:

i put the sentiment on digitally, printed the whole thing on photo paper, and distressed the edges...and it looked pretty good...but you know i can never stand to have something just be *flat* so i decided to enhance the main branch with some machine stitching, and then i attached the image to my card in the same way.

ok. i'm ready for spring now. :)


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(materials for both cards: core'dinations cardstock; photos from a catalog and a clipart cd, respectively; michaels gems; "you are loved" font; tonic edge distresser; sewing machine; manual typewriter)

*excerpt from "the question" by percy bysshe shelley:

i dreamed that, as i wandered by the way,
bare winter suddenly was changed to spring,
and gentle odours led my steps astray,
mixed with a sound of waters murmuring
along a shelving bank of turf, which lay
under a copse, and hardly dared to fling
its green arms round the bosom of the stream,
but kissed it and then fled,
as thou mightst in dream.

11 comments:

  1. ♥gasp♥ soooooo utterly gorgeous...happy new year my bloggie friend:)

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  2. Oh, goody, I'm first!

    I think both cardinals are beautiful. Your machine stitching on the branches is terrific. The rhinestones are so very Lauren-y; they seemed perfectly suited where they are and I would never have known they were covering up a little error :)

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  3. You, my dear, are amazing. Digital images are so NOW, and YOU USE A REAL TYPEWRITER, which is so ... so ... NOT now.

    I love both of these cards!

    Also, I love your natural creativity when you are not producing for a DT. I really do. xo

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  4. Beautiful! Both cards are breathtaking and serene.. I do love what you did on the first w/ the LL Bean Catalog cover! Genius!

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  5. BOTH gorgeous, but that first one??
    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in its simplicity. That red bird makes the card. And that row of bling is genius, even if it's covering a mistake.
    Beautiful.

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  6. These are beautiful - plain is not the word that springs to mind in looking at them. I would say elegant is! Love to come over here and see what you are working on and give my eyes a bit of candy! LOL

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  7. Shelley was a vile Rogue, an Animal. But read his bio and thou shalt find he kissed many a Bosom belonging to no stream.

    His conduct is why the Family disowned him and split into two branches - the Shelleys and the Silleys.

    Good Day,
    Percy Bisque Silley
    (Knighted)

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  8. I'm so in awe! these are just gorgeous! I love that you covered the spelling error in bling...perfect! The stitched branch looks amazing and I LOVE that poem.

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  9. ``Gorgeous` Lauren

    Happy New Year.!!!!!!TFI
    love and best wishes for 2010.....:)xxx

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  10. Oh my goodness! You and your cards have literally taken my breath away!! I don't think I've had the good fortune to visit you here before, but what a fantastic treat! These cards are both absolutely stunning....wow....:> Happy New Years!! :>

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  11. That should be your mantra..."Nothing can be flat!!". lol. I love these..especially the first one. so pretty!!! :)

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