Harlequin-- Lover or Buffoon?

Hi there!

Took me a bit, but I said I would be back to edit my original post so here I am!  I retook pictures, changing the bottom two.  They look much better and closer to how the card really looks.  The reason for this edit is that I want to tell you about who this card is for and a little bit about Harlequin.  This edit was made Tuesday evening, April 24th.

I didn't originally set out to make Harlequin for my sister but after she saw a picture of the card in progress, she said "Oh, I love clowns!."  After completing the sentiment, I thought "Bingo!  This card is perfect for her"!  I don't want to get too personal but of anyone in the world, I would love to act ridiculous in front of my Baby Sis and make her have a good, deep belly laugh!  In short, she is totally devoted to taking care of our parents.  I believe it takes someone very special to be a caregiver and my sister is that someone special!  My brother and I live in other states and are unable to help her out, so she rarely leaves home to get a break, fearful of leaving them alone.  I am so very, very grateful to my Baby Sis for all she does and for giving up her own life for the comfort of Mom and Dad.  I adore the person she is.  Soooo, I am hoping that when she receives this silly Harlequin, he will put a smile on her face and let her know how much I love her.  

Now about Harlequin... I was interested to know what it was that I was using as an image.  The definitions sure do vary!  It seems today that we think of Harlequin as a clown, but that isn't what he originally started out as.  I don't want to get myself in trouble here by having the wrong definition as there are many variations, but the one I like best is that Harlequin was the main character in a French play, dating way back to the 1500's.  He was originally a shabby dressed, nimble lover pursing the lovely and dainty Colombina, with other characters like an adversary, a clown, and Colombina's father.  Harlequin was known for his masked face also.  I like that he was a trickster, entertaining with his somersaults and back-flips but I like best of all that he was a romantic, pursing his love.  I wonder if this is where Harlequin Romance novels derived their name.  I'm sure this bit of trivia just made your day!  

Back to the sentiment...I hope you have a Harlequin in your life today!  Someone who will be ridiculous in front of you, just to make you smile.  And wouldn't it be fun to be a Harlequin for someone else too!?

See you all soon!  Happy trails to you...until we meet again (wasn't that line in an old Western song?) 

Manderly

xxxooo

This is my Design Team Gingerloft Black, White and a Dash of Red Challenge inspiration card!  This card was really fun to make and interesting to do with the above named colors.  I did pretty good on dashing red just on the image and flowers but went a little too much red on the background.  Does having no black card stock count? 

Please excuse the picture quality.  It was difficult to take pictures during tornado weather.  Unless we are in Oz, of course!   I text-ed my family and told them they could get a hold of us at todo@yahoo.com.  Or Twitter Auntie Em.  They didn't reply or laugh

PS  A little about the creation of Harlequin: the roses and pinwheels are handmade by Manderly...me :-).   The leaves were traced and cut from a modified Spellbiinders leaf template.  Bling IT gems were added to the pinwheels and table flowers, (colored with Crayola markers because you guessed it- no black or red gems!).  The image is from Gingerloft, Harlequin Collage, colored with pencils.  All was double pop-dotted onto red vellum, then onto a black card stock base before adhering to easel.  I computer generated the sentiment, glued on the music notes, framed all with black Prisma pencil to match the image frame and pop-dotted onto easel base.  I also added a white piece of card stock, framed black, and adhered it to the inside portion so a note could be written to the receiver.  

Challenges I am entering:

Alota Rubber Stamps- #81 Easel Card

For Your Inspiration- #27 Photo Inspiration

Joanna Sheen- Someone Special

Love to Create- #11 Friends

My Craft Spot- #52 Make it Pop!

Pile It On!- #16 Pop It Up! 

Wags' N Whiskers- #77 Anything Goes 

Delicioius Doodles- #17 Loads of Layers 

Truly Madly Crafty- Make your own Flowers