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Tuesday 23 April 2013

When you go down to the woods tonight...

I always love the sketches at CASE this Sketch and there's another gorgeous one this week. As soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do but naturally I had to wait for the time to do it...

 Those strong verticals in the sketch reminded me of tree trunks in the woods, and the woods reminded me of the midsummer balls held in all the fairy stories of my childhood, so off I went to set the scene! Come and see:

Card made with Take Care by Stampin' Up

The branch image in Stampin' Up's Take Care set took care of the tree trunks. I embossed them with clear embossing powder and then sponged in the mysterious-looking background, carefully wiping any excess ink off the trunks with a tissue afterwards.

Close up of the tree trunks stamped with Take Care by Stampin' Up

I snipped some bunting out some snippets of More Amore designer paper using the tip of my Pennants punch and doodled in the string with a Crumb Cake marker. Any minute now, the guests will start arriving in their gilt chariots, drawn by silvery moths...

I used a gorgeous colour scheme I'd seen at CAS colours and sketches - Rich Razzleberry Pool Party and Primrose Petals (although I can't link it up as I've also used Soft Suede for the trees!) and since this is a birthday card, I'll link it up to CASual Fridays where they're having a birthday bash - happy birthday Michelle!

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Take Care, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Primrose Petals
Card stock: Whisper White
Other: Crumb Cake marker, corner rounder, More Amore designer paper, versamark, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Petite Pennant punch, stamp-a-majig
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I grew up in the wilds of Exmoor where the nearest neighbours were three miles away and an older brother and sister didn't necessarily relish the company of small fry, so I relied very much on my imagination for entertainment. I devoured the books of Enid Blyton, immersing myself in her world of pixies and fairies and although I knew such creatures didn't really exist, I wished they did. My favourite story was of a little girl who had a toy stove and was asked to lend it to a fairy living in her garden as she was giving a party for other magic folk and hers had broken. I remember to this day how fervently I wished a fairy would contact me. Bless the small me's cotton socks!

I shall be in masculine mode tomorrow with a card I'm very exited about. See you then,

25 comments:

  1. Oh Vicky - this is stunning. The only mystery is how you made that magical sky look so amazing! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS(E) This Sketch this week!

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  2. This card is absolutely delightful. I love the colours, the little scene and the story you wove.

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  3. I absolutely LOVE this card! The background really is mysterious-looking and I love it. How clever to emboss the trunks, the effect must be awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Gorgeous card Vicky-you have indeed made those woods look magical,and the tiny bunting adds the perfect touch.
    Exmoor and fairies go hand in hand-are you SURE you only imagined those fairies of your childhood ?
    Nessa xx

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  5. Another fabby card Vicky - and I love the story behind it. Bless. Hugs, Di xx

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  6. This is so pretty and atmospheric

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  7. Oh no! Fairies don't exist? (sob sob) LOL. Love your story. My favourite was "Pookie puts the world right". Pookie was a little white rabbit with wings and I loved snuggling up to mum and hearing all about his adventures ... ah memories! Oh by the way, I can almost see the glimmer of fairy wings in your forest. Very nice.

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  8. Great forest effect card Vicky love your story about the fairies, children have the most amazing imaginations

    Anne

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  9. Stunning card Vicky - and I remember that story too - loved Enid Blyton!

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  10. Oh I REMEMBER THAT STORY WITH THE TOY STOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You brought back a wave of memories with that sentence!! I too grew up in the UK and had so many fairy books but that was my favourite too!!! Can you remember the name of the book? I'd give anything to lay my hands on it again.
    ....oh and great card by the way. :)
    xxxx

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  11. A fab card Vicky, I love the trees and the colours are gorgeous. The Secret Seven were my favourites. Xx

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  12. A very magical card Vicky and I love the fairy bunting. I loved Enid Blyton too and read and re read The Wishing Chair and The Magic Faraway Tree:)
    Val x

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  13. This is stunning, unique and I love it! Thanks so much for playing with us @ CAS(E) this Sketch!

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  14. You have created a perfect fairy world - it's magical! Thanks for joining us at CAS(E) this Sketch!

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  15. Beautiful card Vicky, I love that sponged sky.

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  16. Love your woody trees and sponged colours. The flags are a super addition to give that birthday feel. x

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  17. Fabulous and original card Vicky. I loved Enid Blyton and was an avid reader of her. Thanks for your comment re LIM yesterday, I was oblivious until then.

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  18. This looks very atmospheric Vicky. I keep waiting for a fairy to poke her head round one of these trees! I grew up in the country with 2 much older brothers and read a lot of Enid Blyton too.

    Kat xx

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  19. Beautiful card, love the trees and the coloured background. I am a big Enid Blyton fan too, loved the Famous Five and Mallory Towers x x

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  20. Love your card. Love your post :)

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  21. A beautiful card Vicky. I too believe in fairies, and often make up stories about them for my niece Sophie.

    Bev x

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  22. Using the branch as tree trunks is a fantastic idea and works so well but that sky just sets the scene to your fairy stories, love the colours :0)
    Hannah used to write miniature letters to imaginary fairies in our garden and I would reply.... how she didn't spot my handwriting I will never understand but she believed in them so much perhaps thats why!!
    Jenny x

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  23. Gorgeous card! Love the banner over the tree panel :) Thanks for playing this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!

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  24. Great take on the sketch :) Gorgeous CAS Birthday card!
    Thanks for joining CAS-ual Fridays!
    Sylvia xx

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  25. What a fantasy you've created, in your card and your prose. Absolutely love your magical forest!! Thanks so much for joining the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, Vicky!

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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