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Friday, January 21, 2011

Stamping 411 - Red Velvet Valentine

Good evening stamping friends!
It's time for another Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge - and this week's took me down memory lane big time!
Here is my card for this week:

and here is the sketch:

Now let me tell you, I was so inspired by a Real Red Monochromatic card that I saw demonstrated at Leadership last week, I just couldn't get it out of my head. When I sat down to do this week's sketch for the Operator Team, my first thought was to do red monochromatic. And since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, that's the direction I headed.

My entire card is Real Red and I started with a standard cardbase of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" folded cardstock. It's layered with another piece cut at 4" x 5 1/4". On that layer, I embossed the background stamp French Filigree using Versamark ink and Clear embossing powder. Oh, it just looks luscious in real life - I wish you were here to see it!~
That layer was wrapped with Real Red Satin ribbon and the bow was added after I had my focal layers attached.

I am so in LOVE with the Real Red Glimmer Paper - who doesn't love glitter that doesn't come off? Amazing I tell ya'! I cut a piece at 2 1/4" x 4" and then punched the bottom across with the Pinking Hearts Border punch. The next layer is cardstock cut at 2" x 4" and I adhered it with Tombow Multi Adhesive. That works very well with the Glimmer Paper.
The glimmer hearts were cut out with my Big Shot and the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit and each one has a red cardstock heart mounted on top of it with Stampin' Dimensionals. The center heart was embossed before I punched it out with more Versamark and Clear Embossing Powder. I used the large heart image from the Filled with Love stamp set. The cardstock hearts were all punched out with the Large Heart Punch. For a final touch, I added a single Rhinestone Jewel to the center heart - just a little bling for sparkle!

Now here's the Memory Lane part for me. Today is my Dad's birthday, yep, he is 75 years old today and we are so fortunate to still have him with us this year. Anywho, when I was little, Valentine's Day always came on February 15th. You see, we didn't have a whole lot for extra so my Dad, who didn't want Mom and I to not have a Valentine at all, would go to the store on the 15th and purchase us each a heart shaped box of candy for half price. I never cared that he got it on sale, I just loved that he cared about me enough to make sure I had a Valentine's goodie. Making this card today reminded me of the beautiful heart shaped boxes that he brought me as a child. Some were embossed red foil, others red velvet, but all beautiful and truly straight from his heart. My Dad is just a beautiful person inside and out. He would say that he wasn't a very good Dad, but I beg to differ. He worked two, often 3 jobs just to make our ends meet in the middle and never a day went by that he didn't tell Mom and me that he loved us. He missed some events in my growing up years, but I never doubted where his heart was and he was always there when I truly "needed" him. And really, isn't that what counts?
So Dad, if you are reading this today - your special day - please know that you are my hero and I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Now, for all of you folks that have read this far, wipe your eyes and be sure to check out the Stamping 411 blog today. The other Operators have created some wonderful projects for you and you surely don't want to miss them!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

17 comments:

  1. Love the card....Love your tribute to your dad more!

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  2. I LOVE the meaning behind this card! Your Dad sounds like a very special man! Looks like he's the one responsible for your chocolate addiction, huh?

    This is like the coolest monochromatic card....EVER!!! I can only imagine what it looks like in person.

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  3. WOAH before I read the description of your card and the love story abut your dad (which by the way made me tear up) all I could say was WOAH this is one sexy card, but that isn't how you meant it at all! (wink) Just beautiful Robin!

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  4. Can we have a "like" button on this post!? That was definitely tissue needing reading.

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  5. Okay, I was wiping my eyes! So very happy your Dad is here for you to keep letting him know what a great Dad he was and is...so wonderful!

    And your card is just glorious! LOVE the red on red and all the glittery goodness. A beauty for sure!

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  6. It's beautiful that you still have your dad, and that you can convey your message through your artwork. It's a beautiful message, and I'm sure your dad is going to love this card as much as I do. :D

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  7. Beautiful card. I don't usually make valentine cards, but this one is so awesomely beautiful, I may just have to try it. You are so fortunate to still have your father around and all the great memories. May you have many more to come in the years ahead with your Dad.

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  8. WOWZA, this card is fantastic!! I would never have thought of all red, but this card rocks! And yup, wiping the tears away before typing this up...what a sweet, sweet story my friend :)

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  9. I LOVE this, Robin! And, that was a truly special story. Thanks for sharing it! :)

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  10. First I want to say I'm glad I just took my make up off!!! Girlfriend, that just touches my heart. You are one lucky girl to have such beautiful memories. He must be one special guy!!
    Now I've got to tell you that this card absolutely SIZZLES!!! It's GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for sharing it and your memory with us.

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  11. Gorgeous VIBRANT card, Robin! I love that Glimmer paper, too...hope they bring it out in MORE colors! Love your Dad story!

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  12. Gorgeous card! i hadn't thought the glitter paper was reallyn worth it, but now...my oh my! Sweet story about your hardworking father, too...so glad he's still here with us.

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  13. It is difficult to type through the tears, but this card and what you have to say really hits home for me. I remember that kind of special treat from my mom (God rest her soul) and I know how special is it for you to still have your dad around. This card is lovely, too! TFS

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  14. Robin -- this card is amazing. the Red on Red is so rich and elegant looking and the bling is fabulous! Thanks for inspiring me! Blessings, Gretchen

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  15. Wow, what a truly luscious card that is. All that red together looks sinful. It does remind me of many a red heart shaped box only much prettier. Love your little rhiney bling.

    What a sweet story about you Dad, I want to wish him a happy birthday, you are lucky to have him, I lost my father when he was only 66. Touching story, thanks for sharing.

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  16. This card sure is a WOW!!! We made this at my upline's (Denise DeLawter) Stamp Camp on Sunday....I have to tell you that everyone just loved it...thank you so much for sharing your ideas with us...Your tribute to your dad is very special and he is obviously a very special man & father.

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