First, an explanation why I put this in the CT0215 gallery for the BFF theme. Without my BFF, Dolly, many of my cards would never get made. She has been the most amazing family pet since we rescued her as a puppy from a high kill shelter 14 years ago. For the past 2 years, she gets anxiety about 2 nights a week. So, from 2 to 4 a.m. I go downstairs with her and she sits right beside me while I make a card. It melts my heart the way she stares up at me with her big brown eyes full of love And gratitude that I am keeping her company. Dolly the insomniac dog is my BFF. I also made this for today's WT522 to use an image of our " lucky charm". It is hard to see, but the flowers on the frame are " ballerina flowers" or fuschia. I love those flowers. Growing up we always had a fuschia flowering in the front and back yards. 20 years ago when my husband and I bought our house, I knew it was the right place when I saw the fuschia bush in the yard. The flowers look like little ballerina's dancing in the breeze. We have butterflies year round and they love to flutter around the ballerinas. Luckily, I am happy with the way the card turned out, because it far exceeded my acceptible " patience verses frustrating little details ratio". If I had the exceptional technical talent of Nancy (Stiz2003) there probably is a way to combine 2 digi stamps in photo shop. However, my technical ability is limited to turning the computer on and off. I printed both images out separately after adjusting the sizes. Then I used an exacto knife to cut along the bottom inside edge of the frame. After fussy cutting the lady, I slipped her into the frame through the bottom opening, positioned her where she looked the best, and made a copy onto cardstock. Everything is colored with copics and details and highlights were added with white gel pen. It is hard to see, but her dress and wrap are decorated with gold gel pen and blue liquid pearl drops. The flowers have yellow and pink liquid pearl drops. I am doing the happy dance because I made the whole card without needing to hide any blotches, smears, or tears. Enjoy the day and TFL, Francie
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015 GMT Views: 1569
Favorited:9
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132004
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 7:18 AM
What beautiful soft colouring to go with your vintage lady, Francie. It's lovely to learn a little more about Dolly.
We had fuchsia bushes in the garden when I was growing up - ours were fairly plain ones a little like yours (the sort that grows in the hedgerows over in the West here). We had a neighbour down the road who grew far more frilly and decorative ones in all shades of pinks and reds - now his really were "ballerina" flowers compared to ours. But I still like the ones we had - and yours! Love the gel pen background - and wow, I am well impressed at all the pearl drops on her dress and not one smudge.
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 75007
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 7:27 AM
Beautiful, Francie. I have never seen a fuschia bush, have only seen them growing in baskets but I can imagine how pretty a bush would look. The pearl drops on her dress are beautifully done. It's just an awesome creation.
------------------------------ My Blog---My Gallery---My PinterestI'm a Punchkateer! (Prez) FOREVERDirty Dozen Alumni2014 CAS Spring DT--- Inspiration Challenge Co- Hostess 12/02/17-12/28/19 Watercolor Wednesday Design Team Hebrews 13:2Brenda
Registered: December 4, 2009 Location: Southern Utah's Dixie Posts: 20558
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 7:57 AM
Francie, this card is gorgeous! Such beautiful coloring and images! I love your story of your dog and crafting partner, and your fuchsias. I too love Fuchsias and have to have them where I live. At one point in my teenhood, we had an arbor filled with a wonderful variety of fuchsias.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni My Pinkie is Inkie in Boxertown
Registered: April 4, 2006 Location: Boxertown USA, IL Posts: 67333
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 8:26 AM
Your card is beautiful. I love the fuschia's and everything about your card. Oh, how sweet that Dolly adores her momma. I had a boxer many years ago that gave me the same look and it just melted my heart. Thanks for sharing your card and sweet story.
Splitcoast DirtyDozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: February 22, 2006 Location: Casselberry, Florida Posts: 46530
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 8:29 AM
Oh, Francie, this is just gorgeous. You may not have too much technical talent, as you say, but you sure solved the problem of combining two digital images! The frame around your lady looks perfect. Your whole card is beautifully colored.
Registered: April 6, 2006 Location: Las Vegas, baby! Posts: 14941
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 8:48 AM
A.ma.zing! You must be my soul sister - I have a low "patience vs frustrating little details ratio", too! Gorgeous, and I am COMPLETELY impressed with your liquid pearls skills! Into my faves folder for future drooling, thank you...
------------------------------ ~ Sue Happy for no reason...
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 1:08 PM
What an absolutely gorgeous card, Francie! I love the frame surrounding your beautiful lady, and your story was wonderful - this card definitely belongs in the CT0215 gallery. I love that you were able to work in the challenge colors. I love this card!
------------------------------ JodyLynn - "Love me - love my cats!" DTGD12, DTGD14, HYCCT12, HYCCT13, HYCCT14, HYCCT15, Love Fest 2013, Love Fest 2014 CAS and CC guest designer QFTD 258
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7381
Thu, Mar 12, 2015 @ 2:44 PM
What a truly wonderful card. Love that frame you have created and coloured so beautifully. Its the perfect frame for the vintage lady to sit in. Brilliant way to use the challenge colours.