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Monday, April 16, 2012

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:

19 comments:

  1. Such a lovely card,wonderful image and fabulous colours.xxx

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  2. Gorgeous card Manderly! Hope you are doing ok in the tornado weather...must be scary! I laughed at your joke ;) hehe

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  3. Wow! All of the flowers are amazing. Such detail. Thanks for sharing it on MIM, so I could take a peek.

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  4. Lovely card!
    Thank you for joining Alota Rubber Stamps challenge!

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  5. Manderly, this is a pretty card! Thanks for joining us at FYI!

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  6. Stunning, love the way you've created this monochromatic masterpiece!

    I saw your link on MIM, I'm number 162 this week.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  7. Manderly, this is wonderful! I jump for joy when I see card elements crawling off, up and over. I think your b/w/r card is superb and the definition with I'm here for you is excellent. :)

    Thank you so much for linking up your talent and creative ideas with us at Make It Monday!
    Lisa xx

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  8. Love all your black flowers! Thanks for joining in at FYI!

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  9. Beautiful done in your colors and your flowers are fab! Thanks for sharing and playing along with us at Love to Create!

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  10. Stunning card and so imaginative. Love all the details.
    Thank you for joining us at the Joanna Sheen challenge.

    Edna x

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  11. Such a fun image, and your flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for joining us at 2 Sister's!

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  12. Great card. Especially love the flowers. Thanks for joining us at Sentimental Sundays for the "Frame It" challenge. Please join us again next week.

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  13. Hello me darlin'....gorgeous card,love the red/black combo and great image..all the details are so lovely, love the leaves and flower...very striking..

    Luv CHRISSYxx
    [back on line...whoo hoo...]

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  14. What a fabulous creation! LOVE that image!!! And, I LOVE the name of your blog! I just finished reading Rebecca for about the 20th time just the other day, and watched the movie with my DH. :)

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  15. Such a lovely card and great flowers.Thanks for joining us at My Craft Spot this week.
    Jayne x

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  16. Lovely Color Combo! Pretty Card! Thank you so much for joining us this week at Love to Create Challenge!! Hope to See you again soon!

    Many Blessings,
    Tina

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  17. Great card!! Glad you didn't get blown away with a tornado!! Thanks for sharing with us at Love to Create Challenge!!
    Z

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  18. Manderly I LOVE your card!!! This challenge was a bit hard for this pink frilly girl loving card making girl! HA! Glad your safe and sound from the tornado!! THANK YOU for your sweet comments on my blog!! Hope you have a GREAT day!!!
    Your GL teammate!!! :)

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  19. What a stunning card! I love the dimension you've created with the added elements. And I LOVE the idea of a definition used for a sentiment! (I love words.)
    I do hope all is well with you. I got a kick out of your Twitter comment!
    Thanks so much for playing along with us at My Craft Spot!

    Kate
    Small Bits of Paper

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I appreciate that you take the time to tell me you like something I've created...or not like! You help keep me inspired. Every comment has a face and is precious to me. Thank you so very much!