Thursday, March 17, 2011

My First Blog Hop



...or 'Waltz' rather.  Welcome vistitors and waltzers!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Despite my doctor's advice NOT to do anything other than 'grow bone' for the first three months after my spinal fusion surgery I could not help thinking, "How much could making one card really hurt my back?"  The answer - A LOT!  OW!  I guess in the process of cardmaking I was doing enough leaning, twisting and/or bending and my back let me know it was not happy with me.  So, this is probably my last card for a little while, but I thought Claire's Blog Waltz for Waltzingmouse Stamps was the perfect event for the attempt and an opportunity to introduce my new little blog to the world.  (I just hope I didn't do any permanent damage!)  :(

So, here is my card for the waltz.  This month's theme was Irish Heritage or St. Patrick's Day.  I knew I wanted to use one of the first sets I ever purchased from Waltzingmouse Stamps, Irish Blessings paired with this cool Celtic Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I embossed a piece of Brushed Gold cardstock in the embossing folder.  Then I selected the sentiment and images I wanted to use and found a Nestabilities label shape that worked well with it, Labels 10.  I stamped the sentiment using Handsome Hunter ink and then added those petite little shamrock images on either side (aren't they the sweetest?).  To create the illusion of another layer, I held the die in place and sponged some Handsome Hunter Ink around the edges of the sentiment - it was my first time trying this technique - how do you think it came out?  I added a row of petite bling under the sentiment and some more rhinestones and golden domes accents and popped the panel up with dimensionals over a strip of grosgrain ribbon.  I had hoped to make something more elaborate, the spirit was willing but the back was weak.

Thank you all for visiting my blog and taking the time to look at my creation.  I hope you will visit again in the future, when my back has healed more and crafting is less painful.  Enjoy the rest of the waltz!
~Crafty Math Chick

32 comments:

Julia Aston said...

Wow - sounds like you had some pretty serious surgery - I hope you got right back to lying down and healing!

your card is lovely with the Celtic embossing and lovely sentiment - the gems and stamping look pretty on the label!

Antje said...

Love the embossing with the quote!

Emily Keaton said...

Meredith, this is so elegant! Congrats on joining in on your first blog hop. :) But, no more hurting yourself, OK? Go heal up, girl!!! (But thanks for the beautiful eye candy, nonetheless!!)

rudlis said...

Beautiful card! Very well done!!!

Carly said...

Such beautifully embossing and simplicity! Lovely!

Mona Pendleton said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day Meredith! Such a pretty card! So elegant! Love the framed WM sentiment! Hope you feel better :)

Niki Estes said...

Such a pretty card! I love that embossing behind the sentiment!

Bumblebee said...

I'm loving that Celtic embossing folder! I'm wondering why you're called Crafty math Chick? I'm a maths teacher, thats why I ask!

Lee said...

That bg embossing is gorgeous! Your card is lovely. Take good care of yourself and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Karin Åkesdotter said...

BEAUTIFUL!! LOVE the embossed backround - so elegant!!!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cyndie said...

Very, very pretty! I have GOT to get that cuttlebug folder--I love Celtic! Take care of your back, now, you hear?

Lisa Hjulberg said...

I love that set, too... all those Irish blessings and sayings are favorites of mine. Your card is lovely... I especially like the embossed background.

I'm so sorry your having back problems! I pray you'll be healed soon and back to full crafting mode.

Anita said...

Stunning card! You better be resting! You don't need to mess up the healing process.

Genevieve said...

Gorgeous card! I love the embossed background.
Hope you have a speedy recovery :)

LaurieJ said...

Fabulous card! Love, love, love the embossed background. Congrats on your new blog. I especially like the header photo! I really need to get my act in gear and get my blog up and running (I'm a little intimidated about it all).

Hope your recovery moves along quickly.

Katie Skiff said...

I love it!! I love that CB die too...it works perfectly!!
Hope you are resting up today!!

Cassie_lu said...

beautiful card and now take care of your back cause we'll wait with you. prayers going to you.

Trish said...

Lovely card - hope your back is OK though!

Meg said...

Hey Meredith! I am loving your new blog--so glad you started one to show all your past and present creations!

This card is fabulous--maybe knowing that will help ease the pain a little. ;) I love the embossed brushed gold paper and the sponging on the nestie looks great! All the bling adds that perfect touch!

Congrats on starting your blog--but no hurting your back over it! :)

Lynn Mercurio said...

OMGoodness...this is outstanding. I love your dry embossing and how wonderful it looks with your focal image. WOW! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Clare said...

Great card, love the embossing, feel better soon!

smdluxe said...

That embossing is beautiful! It adds so much to the card already that you don't really need more, and you did a great job with that. I hope you feel better soon!!

jen said...

that embossing folder couldn't be more perfect with your gorgeous sent. panel!! :) Happy St. Pat's to you too!!!

Dana Gustafson said...

Now YOU are the committed crafty girl! I sure do hope yourback is forgiving beasue your card is stunning! I have never seen the celtic embosser before but you sure made it sing along with Claire's wonderful stamp!

Deborah Frings said...

I love the celtic knots embossing - not seen that before - but it's perfect for this card! And the sentiment is just brilliant. Lovely card.

Now, go and rest and take care of your back! Look after yourself.

AJ said...

fabulous card!! And no worries- you can call me anything as long as its nice!!! ;)

B said...

It's just lovely Meredith! Love the embossing and the fabulous inking!

Karen B. said...

The embossing folder you've used is pure genius! Love your card and how its put together!

Unknown said...

Meredith - first - I sure hope you areeasing up!! that sounds like a LOT of pain and second, I am so glad you could join us, your card is super smart!!!!! Hugs!

A Consuming Passion said...

Oooh I know all about back pain!!! Take care......
Your card is lovely! I love the embossed background just perfect with the Blessing!

Lynda Benden said...

WOW, this is gorgeous Meredith! I LOVE the little shamrocks and the background embossing is just perfect! I hope your back is doing better today! You need to take it easy girl!!! LOL!! I know, it's hard! Talk to you tomorrow!

Kelly S. said...

Oh how did I miss this last month? It's so elegant! I love the background that you created for that sentiment, Meredith! Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!