Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Burlap Tree

Hello friends!  I am thankful that Hurricane Sandy spared my family grief and destruction.  We came away with nothing to fix, mop up, pump out or file an insurance claim for.  I know we are blessed, and my heart goes out to those who have been affected by Sandy.  The devastation I see on TV makes me cringe.  The Jersey shore took a real beating.  :-(  Our poor Jersey beach folks have been hit so hard.  There is a zoo in Cape May NJ, and being a big-time animal lover, my thoughts have been on those creatures since before the hurricane arrived.  I've seen nothing on the news about them.

Since school's been closed, I just sat and crafted my heart out.  I made 7 Christmas cards, one of which I'm showing today.


I stamped a scripted tree image from Hero Arts' Merry Christmas Trees onto some burlap ribbon and trimmed out.  It's backed with cardstock for stability and propped up with foam dimensionals.  The star is from Just Rite's O Christmas Tree, and I topped it with a yellow gem stone.



I am entering three challenges:

and also at
  • CASE Study.  Their muse is Julia Stainton (one of my favorite designers) and this is the inspiration card from Julia:
I took my cue from Julia's vertical elements and her white/green/kraft colors.  I'm hoping (still) to be a guest designer at CASE Study, and am throwing my hat in the ring for a chance.

Can't wait to show you my other cards, but I'll wait until tomorrow to post another.

Thanks SO much for your thoughts, good wishes and prayers regarding the storm.  It feels good to know someone cares!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Merry Christmas Trees, Many Merry Messages - Hero Arts; O Christmas Tree - Just Rite
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; burlap ribbon
Other: yellow gem, red and green pearls - Queen & Co.; Copic markers

35 comments:

LeAnne said...

SO cute and clever!!! I just hoard my burlap unfortunately!
I heard that since Cape May faces south, they did not get the direct hit like Atlantic City and the other shore areas did, so hopefully your zoo friends are okay! And glad YOU'RE okay! ♥

Annette Allen said...

oh wow i love love love this..great idea to use the burlap..looks amazing..

Stella said...

I am so happy to hear that you and your family are safe and sound.
Your card is gorgeous; love the idea of stamping on burlap and the tree looks amazing!
XX

Marisa said...

So glad to hear you are okay :) Just love the burlap tree and that big old "JOY" staring you in the face! My favorite word for Christmas :) Looking forward to seeing more.

Benzi said...

First, I am so glad you're o.k., Colleen. I have been so worried about you and your family. I've found out many of my blogging and punchie buddies are doing o.k., although some did have damage. The storm has just been devastating for so many.

I LOVE your burlap tree and may have to case it. What a great idea and so pretty all decorated.

Lisa Elton said...

Thank the good Lord you and your loved ones are okay Colleen, good news!

Love this pretty burlap little tree of yours. You decorated so pretty!

Bonnie said...

I love the rustic look of this tree and the garland of thread! So glad you made it through the storm without any damage!

Donna B. said...

This is so awesome Colleen!! Love the contrast of the shiny "bulbs". If you're uploading it to Splitcoast it would be great in my Hope You Can Cling To Challenge today - to use cork, canvas or clay (or any natural fiber - lots of people used burlap)

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So happy and grateful that you are ok!! I love love love love your card!! That tree is GORGEOUS!!!

~Tammy~ said...

Oh my this is gorgeous! You have had better luck than I stamping on burlap! You have magic fingers! :-)

You were able to make good use of the day! Wish I was able to do the same. I have to entertain. :-)

So happy you and your family are safe. The news makes me sad. The aftermath around here is a mess. We were lucky and feel blessed. We have clean-up to do, but we are fortunate. We have down trees behind us. So lucky they fell just right.

Teneale Williams said...

So clever! Stamping the tree on the burlap, the texture look amazing. I am very sorry to hear your news and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Teneale

Vicki Dutcher said...

Awesome textured tree. So glad to hear all is well with you and your family. The news we are seeing is devastating!

Lesley said...

Awesome texture! Wow! The news has been unbelievable, I cannot believe the devastation!

Maureen said...

so glad you are safe and sound and able to enjoy the time off! LOVE the Christmas trees with all the bling! Thanks for playing with us at CASE Study :)

Jennifer said...

So happy you and yours are safe! This card is gorgeous, love your use of burlap. Can't wait to see your other cards!

~amy~ said...

Love all the fabulous texture on your card!

I can't believe all the devastation from Sandy...it's horrible.

Carole said...

I feel blessed as well. No damage, no repairs or paper work. But I have a new appreciation for electricity. Monday around 9 PM lights out until 4:50 AM today. It's hard to craft with out light. Anyway I love your card. You know I will case it.

Unknown said...

Colleen that tree is amazing! I have not found a good source for burlap. Where do you get yours? I just love this card in every way.

hugs,
Ellen

Maria said...

Wow! Gorgeous decorated burlap tree, so creative! I was keeping you in thought and prayer! So happy to hear you and family are ok without devastating effects from the storm! How awful that storm was to do so much damage for so many! Take care, hugs!

Emily Keaton said...

Fabulously CAS, Colleen!! This is so elegant. I love how you artfully placed those pearl "ornaments" on your lovely burlap tree!

Marlena M. said...

I'm so glad your family is ok, Colleen!
Your card is so pretty~I LOVE THAT TREE~
Oh, and congrats for the top 3 at Case Study too, friend!

Shirley said...

How very creative and what a beautiful tree! I love this. If you have any problems with the Pin it button, just email me!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Congrats on the shout out over at CASE

Lea L. said...

This is beautiful! I love the homespun feel that the burlap & twine give it...and the metallic pearls are just fab!

Linda Callahan said...

Love the tree! And so glad you were spared the wrath of Sandy! My heart aches for the folks along the coast. We are 4 hours north of NYC and were told to prepare for days of no power. Thankfully it was only 3 hours - we are fortunate as well!

Anonymous said...

So glad you are safe and sound! Plus, you didn't lose power so you could make some fabulous creations. This is no exception! I really like this with those cute little ornaments. I honestly don't see how you do it!

Chris R. from Iowa

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

SOOOOOOOOO glad you are ok!!!!

I'm in looooooooove with this burlap tree! SO beautiful! LOVE the use of pearls!!

Andrea Ewen said...

So glad you're safe, Colleen...I think we really dodged a bullet on this one!
And I love your card, how clever...and beautiful!

Martha Herrera said...

So happy to hear you and your family are okay. WOW, the Christmas tree is so pretty, and the yellow star is perfect!

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Very Cool! Love this burlap tree

maria f. said...

Glad to hear everything is OK at your house. So many unlucky people along the coast.
Love your purty little O Christmas Tree!

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

A fabulous tree Colleen - love the texture of the burlap. A really beautiful CAS design.
I am so pleased you escaped the worst of the hurricane - we have seen the devastation on our news channels here in the UK. A very good friend of mine has been on holiday in NY this week, and is due home tomorrow - I just hope she is OK.
Hugs, Sylvia xx

Brigitte said...

OMG, your card is so simple and at the same time very elegant!!!!! Love, love it!!!!!! Thanks for joining us this week at CCC and we hope to see you again next challenge. Hugs, Brigitte

Ann Marie Governale said...

Just love your cards.. but also wanted to reach out as you commented on my blog that you live in NJ... since I got my power back (finally) I wanted to touch base with all those who were also in the path of the hurricane.. you were on my mind and I was so glad to come here and read your posts to know it ended well for you... yes we shall keep all those in our prayers who were not as fortunate as we are.. xxx Ann Marie

Margo said...

Adorable tree , and the way you have decorated it!
Thanks for playing along with us at CCC!
Stay safe!

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