Sunday, October 23, 2011

Quite the Pear


Pears were on sale during the last trek to the grocery store. Figuring that they were a cheaper alternative than apples, she picked them up for her sons. She wouldn't eat them, pears were a fruit avoided probably since her mom fed them to her from a baby jar. However, that night she peeled them for the boys and they gobbled most of them up. "You really gotta try these, Mama" the oldest said. Trying to set a good example, she nimbly took a small bite and was pleasantly surprised.
Goodness, she liked them! So the moral of the story is that she thinks she will have to try the other food items dutifully avoided for many, many years (like the mac n cheese out of the box)...


Having been very, very inspired by The Play Date Cafe's Color Challenge this week (happy birthday to them for two years of great challenges!), I pulled out one of my few Hero Arts Sets, Engraved Fruits, and created an anniversary card. Remember the puns?... "You are Quite the Pear", "The Perfect Pear", etc., well, I just think that it alludes to a life long happy marriage. Plus, those two pears in the inspiration photo look like they are saying: you lean on me and I'll lean on you.


I pulled my inspiration from the Hero Arts October Sketch Challenge-the one in the top right, flipped on its side. Simple and classic, I embossed the card base after printing the sentiment, added a patterned paper banner and then adhered my copic colored pears. The pears were then tied together with some string.


Finally, I really can't pass the Free for All Challenge up over at Wee Memories!

**Of note on The Big Birthday Giveaway Game: I intend to draw a winner later this week, you still have time to comment on the five posts for a chance to win!**

Supplies:
Cardstock: (So Saffron) SU
Patterned Paper: (Curio Collection) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Engraved Fruits) Hero Arts
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger, (So Saffron Pigment) SU
Fiber: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts
Tools: (Linen Impression Plate) PTI
Other: (Markers) Copic

46 comments:

  1. the coloring is perfect and that background is so elegant. beautiful card!

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  2. Absolutely beautiful, Karen! I have had that stamp set for at least 3 months and have not inked it up yet (shame on me). The coloring on your pears is so perfect!

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  3. How could you not like pears? YUM! Great card, I've been so neglecting my HA stash too....

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  4. This is FABULOUS! Your coloring is beautiful, love the layout, and I agree completely on the sentiment being a great fit!
    And pears can be iffy to me too- but you can probably skip the mac & cheese in a box- I loved it as a kid, but unless it's mixed with ground turkey & carmelized onions (which is a dish affectionately reffered to as comfort food here)I skip it now!!! :D

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  5. So creative, Karen - love your use of these colors! Your pears look good enough to eat! And just so you know, I love Mac n Cheese out of the box! :)

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  6. pretty card! Oh, and you really should try the mac 'n cheese!!
    Robin

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  7. Ooh..how lovely! I love pears and things in pairs! :)

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  8. love the story, karen--might have to revisit the pear myself now:) your card today is just stunning in every way! great anniversary card!

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  9. Karen, you've colored those pears absolutely perfectly...wow...stunning card!

    Pears...I love them...

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  10. Love the story! And the perfection of your coloring! Gorgeous card Karen.

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  11. Such a great image for an anniversary! Love the colouring on the pairs and that beautifully textured background.

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  12. What a gorgeous card Karen! Beautiful colors!

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  13. It's funny how childhood food memories prevent us from trying things as we get older...our palattes change so much as we grow up, I've discovered I actually like tomatoes now!
    These pairs look so realistic Karen and they are so symbolic for an anniversary card :)
    Jenny x

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  14. absolutely beautiful and I love the mac n' cheese in the blue box.

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  15. You know I'm a sucker for a pun so this card is right up my street! The colouring of your pears is fabby (they look scrummy!)
    Hugs!
    Aimes
    x
    P.S I used to think I adored Mac 'n' Cheese until I realised it was only my mum's homecooked version and NOT the box version!!! :)

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  16. Stunning card, those pears look good enough to eat!! PS: Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog :)

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  17. You are amazing! I can't believe what you can achieve with ink! This is gorgeous!

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  18. Beautifully done, Karen, so life-like! Pears are one of my favorite fruits, so I'm always drawn to them. Try some red pears; I just discovered them this summer and they are even yummier!

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  19. I really am blown away by your colouring - between this and the bucket you really are a Copic goddess! :) Love this sweet card, the gorgeous colours and the perfect touch of twine.

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  20. LOVE this Karen! Such a classic and fabulous card!

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  21. Very classy indeed Karen! Love how you've flipped the sketch and added your own twist!

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  22. What fabby pears...love your card! A great take on the challenges.
    Jan x

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  23. Those pears look incredibly life-like! I can't believe you did that with Copics. Lovely design!

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  24. Wow! You have perfected the coloring of the pears! Beautiful!

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  25. Holy mackerel, that is one beautiful card! Speaking of mackerel, I never ate fish as a kid, but when I tried sushi the first time, I loved it (some sushi). A random story that I thought of when I read your post--ha ha.

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  26. Beautiful! I agree with you on the leaning on each other too. Yum to pears :>)

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  27. Another amazing and life like creation! Well done as always!

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  28. This really is delicious! A pear-fectly gorgeous card! Love you CAS style.

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  29. love the cute story behind this. it makes me smile. =) fabulous coloring on those pears, Karen! i can't stop looking at them! gorgeous card!

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  30. What a funny story! I love your colours and use of the sketch.

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  31. Haha, I have learned that lesson many times over now. Most recently brussel sprouts. :)

    Beautifully colored pears and they make for a gorgeous card.

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  32. Hi Karen! Wonderful story. It makes the pears even more beautiful. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  33. What a lovely card! Definitely a favourite of mine! The pears look so realistic and so cute together...

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  34. Stay away from the Mac n' cheese in the box...it's got crack in that unnaturally orange cheese food substance that will hook you immediately. You have been warned. Pears, on the other hand, have a mild flavor and are at least good for you. But they always make me laugh. Your card is lovely!

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  35. Wow the pears look so real! Fabulous card!

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  36. What a fantastic card, the coloring is just wonderful :)

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  37. Fabulous coloring on the pears! They look good enough to eat!

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  38. Wonderful use of imagery and colours on this card Karen. Fantastic texture as well. I wish I could reach out and touch it.

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  39. This is absolutely GORGEOUS, Karen! LOVE that scrumptious, little duo and the perfect simplicity of your design! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at The Play Date Cafe!

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  40. OHHHH! These pears look good enough to eat! LOVE the twine and the banner--great use of our colors! This is FAB! FAB! FAB!!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun and playing along with us over at the PDCC:)

    Fun little story at the beginning:)

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  41. really love this, Karen. very beautiful and the coloring so fabulous. thank you for joining us at wee memories this week, hope to see your creation at our next challenge

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