Thursday, February 5, 2015

Mixed Media Valentine

I have no illusions--the artistic genes skipped me--LOL!  Never a doubt that nursing was the place for me.  I was so excited to discover stamping because I could use other people's images for creative projects.  I love seeing the variety of styles & techniques by my fellow paper crafters even when it's outside my realm of possibility. Turns out lots of nurses also got those artistic genes. Two of them are Sue & Mona. At first I was just awe-inspired by their work. Eventually I realized I can make use of some of their techniques without trying to do what they do. The red glitter Memory Box heart has been sitting on my table for days.  I began coloring a piece of watercolor paper with Distress Paint spun sugar, adding some water with a brush.  
Then I used a Heidi Swapp mini stencil from Alexandra's Blog Candy in the corner with worn lipstick (swiped with a bit of Gesso to soften) & stamped the Art Impressions sentiment. Next the piece was dry embossed with Anna Griffin Rosa folder & spritzed with Tattered Angels Snow Angel.  I used the mister of TA Scarlet to add drops of mist I encouraged to run. My friend, Maria, gave me the beautiful lace which I attached across the bottom along with a row of white sequins that came strung together. The PTI tiny tag was lightly sponged with spun sugar, stamped & attached to the heart.  I made sort of a "junk bow" (Melissa Phillips) with white seam binding, tulle & pink grosgrain embellished with pink paper flowers I dry embossed & a pink glittered rose.  The flowers were in the pink box I won from Mrs. A long ago. The heart is mounted with foam tape & a couple red gems cover dots that are part of the sentiment. The piece is matted with black cardstock & attached to the card front. I'm entering several challenges: 
Country View Challenges--Drips & Drops
SSS Monday--H is for...Hearts
Inkspirational--Rose Shades of Red &/or Pink
Loves Rubberstamps--Anything Goes
Dies R Us--Hearts
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge--Think Pink
The Mixed Media Card Challenge--Love
Thanks for making it through this long post & leaving me a comment.
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32 comments:

  1. LOVE this card, Greta! It's so much fun looking at all the yumminess you used to make it. I've never tried one of Melissa's junk bows, but now I think I must! And, that glittered heart is just beautiful. Good luck in the challenges!

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  2. It's gorgeous!! And it fits the challenge at CCCB ... Just sayin'

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  3. Gorgeous, beautiful soft background for the glitter heart! Well done and yes you do have artistic talent :) Shirley xx

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  4. WOW! Your card is gorgeous Greta! I think you are very creative. Love the vintage feel of this card and especially the background! Stunning!

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  5. Oh, wow! Look at that awesome background...love it! Super lovely glittery heart, bow, and the heart lace fits the card very well! Thank you for the shout out! And, I think you're artistic talent is top notch!:-) Have a great weekend, hugs!

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  6. You are truly an Artist my Friend!
    YOu create beautiful cards!!
    Love this one with its yummy texture and colors!
    It's absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day!
    Thanks for the shout out ;)

    Hugs~

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  7. I think your artistic gene is just fine! Love the background and overall design! Great job! Thanks so much for playing in our ‘HEARTS’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!

    Darlene (DRU Blog Leader)
    DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

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  8. Truly an artistic work, Greta! Beautiful soft textured bg with the contrasting heart shape!

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  9. Are you kidding me! You make the most beautiful cards and I'm always blown away by them. I love this sweet feminine card. I never think to use lace and Valentines Day is perfect. This is gorgeous Greta.

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  10. Great Valentines card ..Thanks for sharing it at our Anything Goes challenge at Loves Rubberstamps,
    Hugs Blankina

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  11. This is such a pretty Valentine! I love all the sparkle!

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  12. Greta, I disagree with you about you not being artistic. I love your cards and every time I come here, I am blown away by your creations!!! I love hearing about your creative process and thought you should know that you are an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many others as well. I love this sweet Valentines card, especially the vintage feel of it and how soft the background color is. I also like the addition of glitter on your heart. Love it!!! Have a great weekend!

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  13. I see a lot of artistic ability here Greta, just look at the PRETTY background!! This is a fabulous card!

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  14. You don't have to draw to be artisitic! Your card is beautiful! I adore the background, the colour combo and the way you've rounded the sentiment and card to echo the heart shape!
    Thanks for sharing at the Mixed Media Card challenge.

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  15. Greta...you totally rocked this card and I would never in a million years think you are not artistic, Your cards are always just amazing and so beautiful, just like this one.

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  16. well... I have never thought the artistic gene skilled you, greta! you always bring so much artistry to your projects and this card is a perfect example!! absolutely lovely!

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  17. Great Valentine's card. Love the pretty background. Thanks for playing along at Loves Rubberstamps.

    Nikki

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  18. Haha - I love the term junkbow. :) Loving all the texture and the marbled pink background!

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  19. Hello Greta.
    You know what I am going to say, but if for some reason you are in la la land and not getting the message that everyone is saying here let me say my bit.....and please read every word and believe it!
    Firstly, please refrain from saying you are not as good as other crafters, everyone is born with the creative gene, the key is allowing yourself to it access it. So acknowledge that there is no place for negativity when one creates, it is more a place for allowing you to have the freedom to enjoy what you do and that is to explore this type of craft or art, whatever you want to call it. No-one is in judgement here, you are the only person that is doing this to yourself.....let me concur that you make beautiful cards.
    We all have days where we think our work is rubbish, gosh I will be the first to admit that I over think far to much about my projects, take some time to look back on how far you have come and you know Greta it is HUGE. Yes be inspired by many and learn that it is not all about being the best or the most successful, but just being you, encourage yourself to think positive each time you sit down and create a card, you will be very surprised how good you will begin to feel about what you are doing.
    If this sounds like a lecture, I apologise, I can only say that I do not like it when you put yourself down creatively, you are good enough my friend you really really are...please start believing in yourself.
    'Feed your soul', you have heard this expression often enough so take note and just forget how everyone else is expressing themselves, they have their own agenda on how to create.
    Now work on yours.
    This is a fabulous card with a symbolic large heart, a fabulous background and I am so happy that I inspired you a little.
    Last of all... Thank you for joining us this month at CVC.
    Have a great day,
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  20. Very pretty card and I adore that glittery heart ~ it's fabulous! Thank you for sharing your project and for joining us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! :)

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  21. Beautiful Greta! Love the shimmery heart and pretty background! Your post made me laugh from one RN to another :) I love my job as a RN but love my crafty escape :) Thanks for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

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  22. WOW, Greta, there is so much "sweetness" on this darling card!
    Beautifully done!

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  23. Greta, I understand your first statement. I too am not artistic...but I think that is in how we define artistic...I can't draw worth beans and am so envious of those who can picture something in their heads and replicate it into something visual for others to enjoy. That is also why I enjoy cardmaking and scrapbooking. They are my creative outlets for my artistic itches.

    Now, to your card. I love that big glittery heart and how you have chosen to wrap the sentiment around it. Those ribbons, and tulle, and lacy bits so bring the romance to the card. How fun that you got to used goodies sent to you by friends.

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  24. Greta, your BG is GORGEOUS and I LOVE the lace! Beautiful romantic card!

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  25. Gorgeous card! I love the background and the glittery heart. Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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  26. I spent years saying I wasn't artistic because I can't draw - but you know what? We are artists. This is totally stunning, and definitely a piece of art!!

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  27. Beautiful project. Thank you for joining the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  28. very pretty valentine card! love all that sparkle! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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  29. Bravo! Perfect for our challenge at Inkspirational!

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  30. Great project!! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  31. Did ya have fun making it? Well, that's what it's all about, right? I'd say you done good, Nurse Greta! I love those watercolory butterflies. Thanks so much for joining us this month at the MMCC.

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