Friday 4 December 2009

DU2DS Friday ~ Red , Green and your choice of Neutral

Every year I think to myself I will make funky non traditional Christmas cards for a change and every year I look at the cards I've made and they more often than not have a traditional feel.  I love all things natural so thaat means when I see a great tree stamp or a winter scene I'm drawn to it.  Next year I am definately going alternative!!

Just couldn't manage it with this card when I saw Christines Christmas wreath, I knew exactley what I was going to do..........trad again!!!



The wreath was coloured with pro markers then I went over the fruit with sakura glaze pen, cut it out with the nesties cut a bigger aperture in the card then hung the wreath with ribbon.  A little ..... dare I say it.......peeloff round the circle and a very easy card was made!!

Hope you can join in the challenge over at DU2DS this week, it cant be difficult using green red and a digi stamp at ths time of year!


While I'm at it I'll show you one of the canvas's I made while I was away on the retreat in Claxby



This is for my Dad and I know he'll love it though I'm sure when he opens it he will get a bit emotional. When mum died we had a ecologically friendly burial so I laid her out, and decorated the wicker coffin with ivy, sloes and other greenery, All the time I was making the ivy garland  a little wren was flitting around the room, chuntering away at me and sitting on the edge of the coffin.  I dont know if you are aware but wrens are the smallest uk bird and are fiercely territorial and have been known to see off birds three times their size.. Now my mum was 4'10'' fiercely in control of her clan and has been known to see off many a larger foe with equal tenacity.  Somehow that little bird was a real comfort, so whenever we see wrens now we think of mum.

Isn't it fantastic that in the most dire of circumstance there is still joy to be found in such little things!

Ok, now you've done with the tissues (or the bucket)  I'll say tara and hope to be visiting your blog soon
x Michelle

11 comments:

Anne said...

Oh Michelle, what a touching story, and such a perfect analogy {{{HUG}}}. Your projects are, as per, stunning! The card is fabulous and made more so, IMO, by the touch of adhesive backed mettalic strips! LOL! ;o) And the canvas is just stunning, very personal! :o) xx

Unknown said...

I can see her now protecting her own with her own special brand of fierce - but behind it there was always a twinkle in those eyes - happy days :o)

Teri said...

Such a lovely set of projects - the card is gorgeous, and as for the canvas - WOW! What a lovely homage to Mum! sniff. . .
Hope the poorlies are all gone now. . .
Hugs,
Teri x

Unknown said...

That canvas certainly has the wow factor and with the added info to go with it is soo perfect! Loving the card and I admit the PO does finish it beautifully!

CFLanger said...

Wow, Michelle - what beautiful creations! What a beautiful story too!

Sandra said...

Gorgeous 'traditional' Christmas card. Looks stunning. Your colouring is perfect and I love the peel-off trim.....are you starting a revival? Go for it! I think they look great (plus I have about 1000 sheets to get through)
Thank you for sharing such a moving and personal recollection of your mum. I'm sure your dad will treasure your canvas.
Sandra x

Sally H said...

Two fabulous creations. I love the wreath, but the canvas is so very beautiful, and your description of your Mum too. I think my mum was perhaps a bit more like a goldcrest or a coal tit- 4'10'', a bit shy but always busily flitting around!

lisa said...

Hi Michelle. Your cards are just beautiful. I love the one you've made for your Dad and your story made me smile, although it's so touching. My Uncle died recently and whenever my Aunt sees a Robin she always says he's come to visit her which I think is a wonderful comfort to her.
Hope you have a lovely weeekend.

Lisax

Fiona said...

Beautiful work Michelle-both the trad. card (may I say that the peel-off looks perfect on it) and the wonderful canvas-I'm sure your Dad will be thrilled with it.
Fiona x

simplyfairies said...

Two gorgeous cards, especially the bird one, truly beautiful!

Gez Butterworth said...

Your work is beautiful. Love the little real feather. I've had something similar happen when my mum died last year & can wholly agree with you how nature can surprise you when you least expect it & it's so comforting. Hope you had a peaceful Christmas. Gez.xx