Saturday, February 9, 2013

Valentines and a Birthday Card

Just a few cards to show today.  I've been fighting off my intermittent headaches lately, so I stitch a bit only when I'm pain-free.  Luckily, I started these cards early so I had plenty of time to finish.  The first is a San-Man Originals design, taken from the February installment of a snowman of the month SAL from a couple of years ago.   I realized that if you are not a stitcher, you may not understand the incredible appeal of snowmen on everything.  Hopefully, by adding the words, I gave the snowman cupid a reason for being.  This one goes to a recuperating friend of mine.


Next, I thought I would experiment with a little stitchery for card-making.  I love the work of Helen Dardik, an illustrator of colorful, whimsical pieces.  I seem to see her work everywhere.  The latest was on some Target gift cards.  I follow her blog, "Orange You Lucky", and when I was seeking inspiration for this Valentine, I searched around and found a cute older design she had that advertised a giveaway.  Click here to see it.   I just turned it into a "Cup of Love" design and I will send it to a family with whom I always exchange Valentine cards.

      
Finally, I made a birthday card for my brother.  I had sent him an ornament last December that had an owl on it. He remarked that he really liked owls and had a pillow with an owl design that he loved.  I can't believe I'm finding this out after all of these years!  So it gave me a reason to stitch that cute French Country owl from JBW.  I saw someone else use this goofy color scheme, and it appealed to me so I used the sincerest form of flattery and copied it! ;-)  The owl is done in DMC color variations.  I know it's not a traditional birthday design, but who gives a "hoot", right?



26 comments:

Ranae said...

Pretty cards
Some people are going to be happy to get one of those

Michelle said...

Lovely cards! The owl is so cute and looks great in blue!

Vickie said...

Great job! I appreciate the time put in! ;)

Mylene said...

oh what lovely lovely cards. Well done!!

Sandra said...

The cards are pretty :) I love the snowman, but 'm a stitcher so I understand why they are so appealing lol

Hope your head stops hurting, that's not fun for sure. When I get my headaches I need to lay down with cold stuff on my head and a dark thing over my eyes, thankfully they are not as often as they used to be.

Kalu V said...

they all look great!! =)

♥ Nia said...

I love your san man stitching =) lovely work sweetie! Congrats!!
Hope those headaches will go away soon =/
Hugs!!

Annette said...

What a wonderfull cars you made..
SanMan always has such great designs!!!
Beter late dan never finding our your brother loves owls.. hihihi
Good luck with the headaches, I hope you will loose them fast

Jan said...

what great cards. I love the owl.
Hope the headaches leave you alone for awhile.

Margaret said...

All of the cards are wonderful! I love how you adapted that cup design. And who doesn't love owls? lol! Hope your headaches leave you alone very soon.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Recurring headaches do not sound fun at all. You've still managed to stitch some beautiful cards. Too funny about your brother and owls - I still learn things about my brother too!

ArchangelDecker said...

As always, your work is gorgeous! Love the owl. He's a hoot! :)

Jane said...

It will mean more because it was done especially for him. I am sure all three will enjoy their cards. Hope the headaches will ease up soon

Mii Stitch said...

Great cards, lovely stitching & lovely designs! That owl is superb :)

Gina E. said...

Annie, you achieve more stitching even with a headache, than I do when I'm perfectly healthy! Have you had it checked out - could it be eyestrain, or maybe your neck is the problem? Suggest you see an optician and/or a chiropractor.
Love the owl!

Siobhán said...

What pretty cards! Great job on them all. The embroidery is really cute.

Karen said...

Sorry to hear you've been having headaches, Annie, that stinks! I really like all of the cards you made, you did a wonderful job on them! I think my favorite is the Cup of Love embroidered one.

Carol said...

Oh, those darn headaches--that must be so frustrating, Annie! I can't even stand it when I have a bad one for a day--just can't imagine dealing with them for a number of days...

Love your little cards--especially the snowman cupid. What a cutie-pie!! I know your brother will love his owl--isn't it funny the things you find out about your siblings after all these years :)

Take care now and I hope your head feels better this week...

Lee said...

Hope your headaches have dissappeared.
love the cards specially the JBW owl he is cure

Nima said...

cute cards, i love it

Anne said...

Your cards are so cute! I really like the Snowman cupid and the one for your brother! I'm sure he will love it. I hope your headaches are leaving you alone. They are not fun at all :(

Brigitte said...

They are so great, your cards. Particularly the snowman cupid. Very funny. And an owl for your brother, he will be thrilled.
Years ago I used to make such cards too, but somehow I got out of this habit. Maybe I should take it up again.
I hope you will soon feel better.

Melanie said...

Very nice! They are all so different - just a fantastic mix of designs. The snowman is my favorite though. How can you resist that little face??

Hope your head feels better soon!!!!

Tammy said...

So pretty! I need to learn embroidery too because I love that look!

Hetti said...

Such a beautiful cards yo have made Annie,I'll think the receivers are very glad with the cards!
I hope your nasty headaches will dissapear and hope you will be better soon!
Hugs Hetti

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Love your cards, the owl is my favourite. I really like JBw designs right now.

I don't enjoy stitching snowmen however, it's all that white!! I like looking at other people's though.