Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Swan Card and BookEndz Book Club

I belong to a papercrafting/ reading club called BookEndz. it's part of a website called Color Me Creative Susan Dean started the club about a month ago.  She also has a highly amusing blog called Scrapbitz. (A hoot all by itself, often I have tears I am laughing so hard.) The first book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is going to be discussed tomorrow and a new one is to be announced so it will be a perfect time to join:)

The book was an eye opening experience for me. It is a historical peek into how China has treated women and female children, the value of friendship and a heartbreaking peek into the practice of foot binding.

One of the things that makes this reading group different is that we are to create a paper craft project based on our experience with the book. The delicate paper cutting and the use of animals and birds to symbolize different meanings has always fascinated me in studying the Chinese. I chose the swan to represent the book because of the symbolism of love and the fact that a swan mates for life and never divorces. A very important value in the book. (I don't want to say more for fear of ruining the book for someone.

So here's the card I made for a very special friend who happens to love swans:)



It's hard to see but the swan is cut from DCWV glitter paper and is very sparkly. The die is extremely intricate and requires quite a bit of skill to cut. I don't recommend it for someone who is just starting to learn how to use a die. It took a long time to remove all of the dots from the intricate cuts. But in person this die cut is BREATH TAKING!


Supplies:
Paper: Velvet Paper , DCWV glitter paper, Bazzill cardstock
Lace: Offray Classical Lace
Embellishments: Kaisercraft Pearls, eye rhinestone (stash)
Die: Cheery Lane Designs Swan Die

Have a day filled with beauty and love!

P.S. Thanks to Lisa for letting me know about the Getting Cricky Challenge for "Winged Things." I have linked up to it:)

20 comments:

  1. I love your swan, thank you for sharing it, and the info about the book club.

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  2. Absolutely beautiful Elizabeth!
    I read that book a few months ago, It was a good read, but sad and disturbing what they did to their beautiful little girls!

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  3. Wow, what a stunning card, Elizabeth! The swan is so delicate-looking and just beautiful! You should definitely link this up with our Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge - Winged Things!! :)

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  4. This is a gorgeous card, Elizabeth! Just stunning. You won last week's blog candy at my blog. Please contact me with your mailing address. BTW, did you receive my mailing address? I sent it to you via the contact button on your blog.

    Kelly
    http://kellyscarftylife.blogspot.com

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  5. This is so pretty, such a great projects. Good luck!
    Thank you for playing our Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky.
    Hugs :),
    Kathy - Getting Cricky DTM
    http://the3esblog.blogspot.com

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  6. This is so intricate!! Beautiful! Thanks for playing along with us at Getting Cricky's Simply Sunday Cahllenge!
    Happy Craftin :)

    Ildi-Getting Cricky DTM
    The Craftin Mama
    www.thecraftinmama.blogspot.com
    ildij3@verizon.net

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  7. This is so gorgeous! I've never used a die, but want this to be my first... I'm crazy like that. ;) Swan Lake is my favorite ballet and I simply *need* to use this die. Your card is absolutely stunning, just like the inspiration behind it. You are so talented and I'm sure your friend will treasure this masterpiece. :o)

    Hugs and blessings! :o)
    http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com

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  8. WOW!! beautiful , love it. TFS and glad I'm now a follower:)
    Hugs

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  9. Elizabeth, this is breathtaking. What a great idea to paper craft and read. My to favs! I will have to check out Booendz.
    Thanks for coming over and entering into my blogaversary give away. Best of luck!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  10. Elizabeth, the Halloween project is the project of the month:) This month the cards will be for all the kids at the Pediatric Speciality Care facility. I am hoping since we attached the project to a blog hop we will be able to get at least one card for each child. I need to double check with Ellen the expected number by the end of October. Thank you for your question.
    ~Madison

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  11. Elizabeth this card is AWESOME!!!
    I loved loved loved this die. What die is that?

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  12. Maria,
    The die is from Cherry Lane Designs and is the Swan Die.

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  13. OMG...what a fabulous card!!! The die cut swan is sooo gorgeous and I love how you used the purple background with the lace along the edges...sooo elegant!!!

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  14. Please send me your emai address ASAP. I am working on the blog hop lineup
    Sylvia
    S.solorio88@gmail.com

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  15. Oh wow, this is so delicate. I love it!
    :) Janis
    Getting Cricky DTM
    http://PauseDreamEnjoy.blogspot.com

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  16. Beautiful card, I love all the detail with the pearls you used.
    Thank you for playing with us this week
    Becka
    Getting Cricky DTM
    Creations With Becka

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  17. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one that has had problems with Vista! I can't tell you how frustrating it is. And I agree that companies should have enough pride to make something that lasts without the extended warranty. I think the computers have something programmed in them to know when the warranty runs out and then they slowly self-destruct ;) Have a great day!! :D

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  18. This is so beautiful! I am sure your friend will cherish it! Thanks for joining the SS Winged Things challenge at Getting Cricky!
    Janice

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  19. Wow Elizabeth, that's incredible :) So elegant and graceful :)
    Thanks for linking it up for my blog candy question :)

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  20. OH, let me catch my breath....absolutely stunning. I have been eyeing this die for quite a while. Does it cut well? If it does, I don't hhink I would have a problem taking it slow to remover all the small cuts. I have had some dies only partially cut and have had to take my craft knife to complete the cut. I think that owuld be way to hard with this. I would love your opinion on it as I would LOVE to get it, but if it is to hard I don't want to spend the money. Is there a specific weight of paper that has to be used?

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment! I appreciate all of my wonderful readers! Elizabeth