Sunday, May 27, 2012

Prayed for You

Hello everyone!  A special 'hello' goes out to the folks who recently subscribed by email, or became a Follower on the sidebar.  It makes me happy that you like my stuff enough to subscribe.  :-)  Thank you!

This post is a little wordy, so if you want to skip down to the card, I don't mind at all!

In the Winter 2012 issue of a magazine called 'Artful Blogging' a blogger named Lynda Naranjo (lynda-naranjo.blogspot.com) said some things that rang true for me.  I'm sharing an excerpt here.

  "Keeping a blog takes planning, work, and commitment.  There are weeks when my life gets busier than I had planned and sometimes my blog gets pushed to the back burner.  When that happens, I feel disconnected, as if a part of myself has gone missing.
"Planning my posts in advance is much easier than just flying by the seat of my pants.  Using the scheduling tools that Blogger provides has been very helpful to me in planning my future posts. ...But it doesn't end with uploading a post to my blog.  Visiting other bloggers who take the time to read and comment on my blog is just as important as updating regularly, if not more so. Every week I try to set aside time to visit other blogs.  This is where friendships develop and connections are made.
 "During a particularly busy period in my life...I realized how much I needed to blog.  Blogging is my social network -- the place where I connect with other creative souls to inspire and be inspired.  Bloggers are like my co-workers; reading someone else's blog is similar to having a chat in the coffee room or dashing out for a quick lunch."
It's as if Ms. Naranjo was reading my mind.  I have had SUCH a busy month or so in my personal life, and my blog has taken kind of a back seat (even though it may not seem that way to some).  I'm thankful for the Advanced Scheduling that Blogger allows me to do.  :-)  Even though I am able to get some posts of my own up, I haven't had as much time to visit other blogs, and I miss it.  This busy period is temporary; soon, I'll be back to visiting you all, as I so enjoy.

Annnnd on to my card now!


This is for a friend who is going through a rough time, and I'm hoping it will cheer her up.


This is a 'custom' bloom, assembled from little petals I picked up from the floor of a craft store (I was only helping them clean up, you know).  I used a pearl brad, and some shimmer paint from Creative Inspirations Paints:  'Fairy Dust' doesn't give color, just glorious iridescence.  You can use it on almost anything!  LOVE the stuff.


This little tag is from a $1.50 bag of chipboard from Michael's, and I wiped Whisper White craft ink over it.  My friend Tammy inspired me to do this.  (thank you, Tammy!)  A Verve sentiment on a white oval punch and some pearls finish it off.

I'm entering this card at:


An exciting piece of news to share:  last week, I delivered over 160 of my handmade cards to a local shop called Arts Plus Gallery, where they are on consignment.  I know for sure that one sold the day they debuted (my stepmom had visited the shop, and told them that she's related to me, and they shared that bit of news with her).  Yesterday was a special event on the avenue where they are located, and often get lots of foot traffic.  I'm hoping some more cards were sold!  Keepin' my fingers crossed....

I'll see you tomorrow with my last card as May's Featured Artist at the Merry Monday challenge.

Thank you ever so much for hanging with me for this long post!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Notes of Prayer - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; gingham/plaid, dots - Nana's Nursery Boy - DCWV
Ink: Whisper White craft ink - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Venise lace; leaf ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon; twine - Creative Impressions
Other: Fairy Dust paint - Creative Inspiration Paints; oval punch - SU; floral border punch - Martha Stewart; petals (floor at JoAnn's craft store); chipboard tag - Michael's; pearl brad - Bride's (bridal section at Michael's); pearls - Queen & Co.; corner rounder punch - EK Success

34 comments:

Donna B. said...

Stunning card Colleen!! LOVE the green and purple - one of my favorite color combos! The flower is beautiful and I love the panel you put the sentiment on! I totally agree that advanced scheduling is the way to go -now If I just had something made in advance! LOL!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fun use of the gingham paper! Gorgeous end result card!

Martha Herrera said...

Your card is so pretty, and I'm sure it'll bring a smile to your friend.

Hugs,
Martha H.

Marlena M. said...

Gorgeous colors and bloom! Beautiful card Colleen. I feel lost when I miss a week or so also. You are a blessing when you visit!

Anonymous said...

Love your card! Great details and rich colors. Love the papers you used. Your story made me laugh when you were helping them clean up - did they charge to work for them? If I had been to that shop, I am sure I would have bought a card or so - but how could one choose with so many?!? I am sure your friend will love the card!

Chris R. from Iowa

Lisa Elton said...

Oh goodness Colleen I think this reads true for so many of us and I feel like we should all copy & paste this on our blogs! Thank you for sharing it.

Now about that card...SPLENDID! This is sure to lift your friend's spirits. Good luck with your card sales, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you ;)

Patrice said...

Such a beautiful card, Colleen! And I love the scheduling Blogger lets me do, too!

Andrea Ewen said...

This is gorgeous, Colleen...the colors are simply stunning together and the sparkle on the flower is the perfect touch. The sentiment sure is a beauty and looks marvelous on your card. I, too, pick up little goodies on the floor...you never know when they'll come in handy! (And they would've otherwise ended up in the trash anyway!)

Anita said...

This is gorgeous. I love the colors and the flower and lace are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful Colleen! LOVE the color combination! Hugs, Joanna

Jennifer said...

Gorgeous card! Love your new picture too =)

Thanks for stopping by today, your comments always make me smile. Have a great rest of your weekend!

Bonnie said...

Life gets in the way for all of us and I agree that when that happens, I miss my time visiting and replying to other bloggers as well as sharing inspiration. My stamping/blogging friends are as important to me as the people I get to see in person occasionally. Blogging lets me be a part of the outside world when responsibilities keep me home. Enough rambling. Your card is beautiful and I'm impressed that you help clean the flower aisles at the craft store. Lucky you! I'm sure your cards will fly off the shelves.

Emily Keaton said...

Ahhhhhhhhh . . . that purple and green color combo is SO refreshing, Colleen! This card is truly beautiful, and I love what you did to make that pretty layered "found" flower shimmery! Your lace and leaf ribbon just add so much detail, too. Congratulations on delivering 160 (!!!!!!!) cards to be sold! That's a whole lot of cards!! My fingers are crossed that they are a BIG hit!! Looking forward to talking to you this week :D

Carol Hurlock said...

This is just beautiful. Everything is so perfectly placed and proportioned to perfection. What you have written is so true. Gosh I have posts scheduled all the way to August...lol When I was away they just kept posting on my blog and I feel so bad about not reciprocating right away with comments. There's a little thing about not wanting to post that I will be gone for 10 day from my home. I don't want to come back and find all my die cuts gone....lol I hope you sell out on your cards at the shop. How fun and a wonderful adventure. I know you will do well!

Bear Hugs,
Carol

Annette Allen said...

stunning....great color combo and I love those flowers...wonderful card.

Tenia Nelson said...

What a gorgeous card!!!

Virginia L. said...

Is this ever gorgeous, Colleen! Love that chipboard and white distressed edges! Love your quote as it so true about blogging! What did WE do before we start blogging!? (LOL)!

Sue Lelli said...

This is absolutely STUNNING! LOVE the trick from Tammy and LOVE your lace and flowers and sentiment! Good Luck with the card sales however you won't need much luck - your cards are just GORGEOUS always!

Mona Pendleton said...

Stunning card Colleen! Love all the layers, pretty lace and beautiful flower! Thanks for joining along with FTTC :)

Karin Ã…kesdotter said...

WOW! Your card is amazing! LOVE it!

Jackie Rockwell said...

I'm so glad you shared what Lynda Naranjo had to say about blogging! It rings true for me too. :)

Your card is gorgeous Colleen! Beautiful details and layering!!!

~amy~ said...

Thanks so much for sharing...love the excerpt regarding blogging. Your card is absolutely gorgeous!

Marisa said...

Love the flower and added sparkle. Lovely touch with the sponging on the kraft panel too. Fingers crossed for you re: the cards in the store! Sure they will do great and it's a wonderful way to get some $ to "reinvest" into supplies etc. ;)

Heather Rogers said...

Just beautiful! Thanks for playing at FTTC!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, what a beautiful and colorful card! I just love the flower you created. Your colors are just wonderful! I agree completely with Lynda's and your sentiment about blogging. I think the same thing happens to all of us. If I manage the time to make the cards or do the activities I blog about, it leaves little left over for visiting. I love to connect with other bloggers and my readers, so I get out when I can. We can only do so much. I love it when you stop by, but I know how life is. You simply can't be everywhere at once.

Benzi said...

Wonderful post, Colleen. I love your 'off the floor' flower. The shimmer is spectacular. Beautiful card!

Hope all your cards sell...wouldn't that be fun?

Yes, I'm thinking a Big Shot will replace my broken Cuttlebug.

BTW, your new photo looks great.

Rebecca Deeprose said...

What a beautiful card Colleen! Love your coloration and I haven't seen that sweet sentiment before~

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

I'm going to check out this magazine--I think most of that excerpt that you shared rings true for me too:)

As for your card----GORGEOUS as always! LOVE the papers and the flower! Beautiful sentiment too:) Great job all around:) HUGS!

Lin said...

A very thought-provoking post, and a really lovely card - both spoke to me today - thank you! So glad that you shared this with us at Lily Pad Cards, Colleen!

Maria said...

Gorgeous card with a very lovely collection of elements, so so pretty! And, thank you for sharing the excerpt regarding blogging. It is so true to form connections with fellow bloggers. So much inspiration is given. The sharing and helpful information is amazing! I so enjoy and am very thankful and blessed with all my blogging friends. Thank you, Colleen, hugs!!:-))

Unknown said...

Hi Colleen, this blog really hit home for me. With a trip to my daughter's and a trip to my son's graduation from Basic Combat Training, I have been totally out of sync with my blogging world of friends. I am so happy to be back and enjoying many of your cards this morning. Take care.
Hugs
Ellen

Jinny Newlin said...

I'm right there with you, girl! But if I try to take a break, I'll never catch up. So, plugging right along ;).

Your card is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! So many stunning, little, textural details! Yum!

Larissa Heskett said...

OMG!! This is BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE the colors and the fun patterens that you mixed!! LOVE everything about it!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)

maria f. said...

Lovely post... lovely card. Your hydrangea is so pretty. Nice color combo too (I love that inspiration photo. Thought about making a set using each of them as an idea for a card. Now Lily Pad has gone adieu)
Hope you have luck and fun selling your cards. I am certain you will.

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