Sunday, April 11, 2010

Up North


My grandparents had a cottage "up north" when I was growing up. During the summer, we would drive through The Tunnel of Trees and take walks through the woods, finding fields of wildflowers and clovers. Our destination more often than not was The Big Rock in which the cousins would have contests to see who could climb it the fastest. I went back to the cottage after I was married to help my grandparents to pack up their belongings after selling the place: the Tunnel of Trees was still magnificent, the wildflowers and clovers still plentiful, but boy oh boy, how small that Big Rock looked!
Almost every one of the cards I make have some story behind them, it keeps me coming back to this time-consuming, money-hungry but absolutely self-satisfying, relaxing hobby of mine. This card uses colors from The Play Date Cafe, the sketch layout from Card Patterns and the theme of flowers from Pals Paper Arts.

Supplies Used: SU Perfect Plum and Very Vanilla Cardstock, CTMH Treasure Life Clear Stamp Set, For the Love of Dots Clear Stamp Set from Practicing Creativity Designs, SU Small Script Stamp Set, SU Pale Plum and Perfect Plum Pigment Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, Spellbinder Die Labels 8, Making Memories Vintage Findings Book Plate, Queen & Co. Pearls in Lavendar, SU Linen Thread, SU Corner Round Punch


26 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! Love how you combine the sketch and color challenges into one! Simply gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful story Karen. I agree about the need for story or at least a reason for the project you've made. It gives it more meaning and a little bit of you in every one. Great job with those beautiful colours. I may just have to play along. And beautiful job on that sketch. I love how you made it your own.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful card! Love the placement! Thanks for playing with us at Card Patterns.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen,
    Hubby and I were just talking about how long it had been since we'd been to an auction together and it's been about 16 years! LOL
    I think the main reason is he likes farm auctions (equipment) and I like the good stuff :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Très jolie carte et jolie histoire !

    ReplyDelete
  6. Grandma will love to hear how you put your memories to a picture!! I will be sure to show her next time she comes over!!
    Love Ya
    Jean

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful card. I'm a big fan of the rounded corners and how well the colours work together.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow- sooo pretty! Love the background you created with your BRAND NEW stamps!! :) Very soft overall effect- love it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your card is lovely Karen! Love the story too

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Karen,

    Thanks for visiting me and leaving such a nice comment over at Create With Joy!

    I love your card too - the colors are so soft and lovely - but in particular, I love the stories that you share with each of your card posts! I just signed up to follow because I would love to read more of your stories!

    Have a creative week!

    Hugs
    Ramona
    http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pretty, love how you stamped the wildflowers. Thanks for playing at the PDCC.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a sweet memory. The soft colors of this challenge paired so well with your memory inspiration. Your card is a beautiful tribute to your story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Karen, Your card is stunningly beautiful! I wanted to tell you about the flower on my card that you commented on (Thank you!). I took a button, put a 3/4 inch circle punched from the background in it, and filled it up with SU! Crystal Effects. I think JudiKins has the same type of stuff. I let it dry overnight. It sort of has a glass pebble feel when it's dry. Fantastic stuff - great for making glass magnets. I've just become a follower - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment! You have won me over with your creations. I really like the way you interpreted this sketch on this card, not to mention so many of your other creations. Needless to say, I am about to become a follower and I would leave a separate comment on so many of your creations if I did not have one of my sons sleeping in my arms right now :>) Fab blog and Fab, Fab, Fab creations!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. this is gorgeous! i love the for the love of dots background in this, just perfect!! thanks for sharing your beautiful childhood memory, too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So pretty! Love the colors and the design! Thanks for playing at PPA!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh so pretty and soft!!! Thanks for playing with us at Card Patterns :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very pretty card Karen - I like the soft distressed look! Thanks for playing along with the PDCC :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is so sweet Karen! I love that metal frame you used around your sentiment.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely images you blended in the shades of purple. The card is so very pretty. Thanks for playing along with us at PDCC.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very pretty! I love how you've offset the card to the left, fab! Thanks for playing along with us this week at the Play Date Cafe!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful memory - the tunnel of trees sounds fab! Thanks for playing along in the play date cafe this week :) I love your layered flowers, and the word 'wish' at the bottom which is so beautifully framed

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful creation, Karen! And such a lovely memory! Thanks for playing along with the PDCC!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very beautiful card. I can see your graphic design influence and I love it!

    ReplyDelete