Tuesday 17 May 2016

Seahorses and Stritch Manzello's Record Room!

Hello and welcome!  Thank you so much for visiting me.  Today I have an underwater card for you which I cannot take all the credit for!  The gorgeously coloured and textured  seahorses and star fish were sent to me by my wonderful friend Anne.  Anne, very kindly, sent me some blanks too but I wanted to use the ones she coloured first!


Oops, excuse the corner of the box in shot that I use to take my photos in!  I used a left over piece of a Brusho background I had previously made for the sea and just added all the elements!  I love the colours of the seahorses and starfish against the background.  The little shells and the moss (from Anna Marie Designs and I think looks like seaweed) were glued on with Pinflair glue gel and the sentiment is from Sheena Douglass and is embossed with white detail powder onto snippets of purple card.  The bubbles are stamped using a very old stamp and I managed to get some ink spots on the background so decided to add the lovely turquoise Stickles to cover it up and add sparkle around the seahorses.  The pretty stones came from Anne too and I edged the panel with Distress Ink.

I do feel like I cheated rather with this card as the impressive bits were not done by me!  Thank you so much Anne!

I would like to enter this into Pixies Snippets Playground 229 this week as I used Brusho background snippet and snippets of card for the sentiment.

On a separate matter not connected to crafting at all - some of you already know my husband, Darren, is also stuck at home long term ill.  Part of his illness is that all sound causes him extreme pain.  This is particularly awful for him as he is a record collector and music is a huge part of his life and, of course, now that's pretty much been taken away from him.  So, to stop him going bonkers and to give him something to do that involves music, he has started a blog talking about different albums he has and linking to various sources so people can have a listen to his favourite tracks.  His taste is extremely varied and he has already posted some awesome stuff!  So for any of you who might be interested (or know anyone who might be interested), here is the link to Stritch Manzello's Record Room.  Thank you!

Thank you so much for visiting me and have a fabulous week.  Take care! Christine

19 comments:

Barb said...

Hi Chris, Your card is absolutely beautiful. Tour friend Anne sent you some lovely pieces to work with and you've put it together beautifully. The seahorses really are super and I love the colour of your background. You just had to use stickles on that. I really like the shells and "seaweed" at the bottom. A lovely deep sea scene.

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's condition. It really is very sad that he's no longer able to enjoy his music and it must be very difficult for you both. I don't listen to music often. I'm one of those strange people who likes to have it quiet when I craft. Having said that my cabin in the garden is the perfect place to enjoy birdsong when I'm crafting.

It sounds a really great idea for your hubby to run a music blog and I'm going to pop over now to visit. Barbxx

Stritch Manzello said...

Hello Wifey, thank you for the advert for my blog. Your card is groovy as always

chrissie said...

This is very different with lots of colour and great things to look at

Love Chrissie xx

scrappymo! said...

What a stunning card. The coloured dies are fabulous...I love the glossy bits on them too!

You made the perfect background for your underwater scene.

Sorry to hear of your DH's illness. I am not a music lover...other than Blues...Will try to get over to his blog though...

Redanne said...

Wow Chris, I love how you used the seahorses, you have created a beautiful, magical background for them! I love the contrasts of colour you achieved in the water and those bubbles are wonderful! Your clever use of the moss is one I must remember, I would never have thought of that one - so thank you! Thanks too for the shout out, you are such a lovely lady!

David has just signed up to Stritch Manzello's blog and I know he will just love listening to the music !!

Big hugs my friend, Anne xxx

Anita in France said...

Seems as though I'm in that sweet undersea scene, Chris ... the depth and detailing is fantastic! Hope your DH gets lots of joy from his new music blog ... what a positive way to deal with such a debilitating illness! Hugs, Anita :)

Di said...

Hi Chris!

What a fabulous underwater scene - watch out for Mrs A lurking behind the seaweed wearing a woolly cossie stretched down to her knees though! Seriously this is just beautiful and so jewel like as well.

I'm like Barb, I like to craft in silence - will see if I can chase Len over to take a peek at Darren's blog. Will go there first to 'vet' it though :)

Hugs

Di xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

How sad for your hubby to have such an important part of his life taken away for him. I'm glad that he's found a related outlet to keep his heart happy.

Your underwater scene is really fabulous. You've put it together all very nicely so you can't say this card is cheating.

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Wonderful composition, I love maritime!
Hugs Anja

LesleyG said...

what a lovely friend you have, and you certainly did it justice and produced a wonderful scene. can't imagine how hard it must be for you and your DH xxx

Darnell said...

I just love the fact that two of my favorite people have shared like this! Annie is a sweetheart and I think you are, too, Chris! You have done a smashing job of designing with the wonderful gifts Annie gave you!! I'm so glad that Darren has found this outlet and started his own blog to bring him some joy! I wish him every success with it!! Hugs, Darnell

Sue - said...

Fabulous underwater scene.

Neet said...

Lovely card Chris and one which I think you can take full ownership for. had the elements come from a retailer you would not have thought about it at all in the same way. Congrats on the lovely card.
Now, I had no idea about your husband. I have a friend who has a daughter who suffers the same illness and my heart goes out to her. She was a very talented crafter (published in lots of magazines) and when I talk to her mum it breaks my heart to hear that even the rustle of paper can upset her.
I am so sorry to hear that your husband is going through this. Is there a name for it? My heart goes out to the two of you - wish I could wave a magic wand.
Love, Neet xx

Mrs A. said...

A lovely underwater scene. Love those sea horses from Anne. Feeling much better now but left with a hacking cough at night time. Hugs Mrs A.

Jester said...

Hi Chris, your card is beautiful. Your Brusho background and the shells perfectly complement Anne's seahorses. I don't think that is cheating - without your elements it wouldn't be a card!!
I love seahorses - they do have a certain elegance and a peaceful quality about them.
Off to visit Stritch Manzello's blog now; sounds intriguing. Jx

Liz McGuire, said...

Gorgeous card, you have captured the shades of blue perfectly, Liz x

Jude said...

Hi Chris, a beautiful card, love the brusho background and all the detail. Hugs Jude xx

Sharon Fritchman said...

Hi Chris! I am so sorry to hear about your husband's condition! I will keep him in my prayers. I absolutely love the card you made using your friend's beginnings!! So beautiful!!!

Sandy said...

Not only is Anne a wonderful artist but a wonderful person and friend as well!
Love what you did with her gorgeous sea horses.
Sandy xx