Love is a Four-Legged Word

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

March 24th was a sad day for fans of the Jenny L. Cote book series, The Epic Order of the Seven, which happens to be my daughter's all-time-favorite books. The main character of the books is Maximillian Braveheart the Bruce, a Scottish Terrier, who is based on Mrs. Cote's own beloved pet, Max. Well, sweet little Max passed away last week after battling cancer. Besides loving Max as the character in the books, my daughter is also a dog-lover in general. (March 24 was also our own terrier's 15th birthday, too.) So, when I told her about Max's passing, my daughter was devastated, and fell asleep on a tear-dampened pillow, while holding tight to a plush Scotty that looks just like Max. 
Mrs. Cote does a lot of creative writing workshops for kids, and she just happens to be coming to our town for a workshop for our homeschool group next week, so I made this sympathy card for my daughter to give to Mrs. Cote while she is here. I love this Tiddly Inks image, which I colored with Copics, and I've used it before, for a card that I intend to eventually give to my daughter because it looks so much like her and our dog, Ozzy, but it is also perfect for this occasion, since it resembles Mrs. Cote and Max, too! See...


Jenny Cote, Max, and Liz
Jenny Cote, Max, and Liz

I used the Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 4 Sketch for the card design, and all the patterned paper, including the sentiment on the die cut faux leather belt, is from the Raining Cats & Dogs paper pad by Graphic 45. I added the detailed eye to the image, and worked quite a while on the girl's cheek to make it look more dimensional. I still need practice, but I was pleased with how it finally turned out. 
The sentiment inside the card was typed in Word and printed onto cardstock. I added little paw print stamps and a red flourish in the corner. The monogram letters (M-A-X) are from the Paper Sweeties Fancy Monograms stamp set. I stamped them with Versamark onto black chipboard, then heat embossed them in white. I can't get over how much detail is in the monograms, even when embossed! After cutting the letters with a die from the Beautiful Little Wishes Sweet Cuts die set, I mounted each letter onto a square of craft foam, then onto a square of gold mirror foil. It's pretty in real life, but since it truly is mirrored, the gold doesn't show up well in a photo. The sentiment at the bottom is written in Gaelic (I just love Google sometimes!), to go along with Max's Scottish heritage. Again, it doesn't show well in this photo, but the sentiment strip is wavy, rather than glued flat to the card. I used Pearl Pen dots under the center of the strip to keep it from getting smushed.

My daughter loves the card and can't wait to give it to Mrs. Cote, along with a little gift she made just for her. ;)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 4 Challenge
Tiddly Inks Challenge #154: Anything Goes With a Tiddly Inks Image/Stamp
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #117: True Anything Goes...No Twist!

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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9 comments :

Leslie Miller said...

Awww, I feel so sad about this. She will very much appreciate this darling and heartfelt card. Gosh, you've really tugged at my heart strings today, Cheryl.

Conniecrafter said...

She will so appreciate this lovely creation you have made for her sweet furbabby. I just lost my sweet Anna (cat) that I have had for 18 years to kidney failure, it is so hard when they have been by your side for so many years and then all of a sudden they are gone. Hugs to your daughter too

JanR said...

What a sweet thing to do! I'm sure it will be very appreciated. Fabulous card. I especially love all the bows.

JanR said...

Ooops! Forgot to say....Thanks for joining us at Tiddly Inks.

~ginny said...

What a moving and wonderful back story Cheryl! I've recently lost my beloved Papillon of 20 years... so I feel your daughter's pain! Your card is beautiful and poignant. Delighted you are sharing your project & creativity with us at 613 Ave C!
~ginny,
DT for 613 Ave Create – [ Anything Goes]
Owner: RubberMAD at [GettyCollection.com]

Melissa said...

This card will certainly be appreciated. You have captured the moment well.
Thanks for joining us at Tiddly inks challenge

Chana Malkah said...

Beautiful card! I love how you picked up a color scheme that work with the picture of her and her dogs and also the whole "terrier" feel comes through! Very nicely composed and executed!

Thanks for playing at 613 Avenue Create.
Hugz,
Chana, Owner

Tracy Wray aka Trak said...


Thank you for taking part in our tiddly inks challenge,
I very much enjoyed looking at your card and all
the time and detail you put into it, good luck hugs tracy

Annette said...

Wow, that image is just like the photo!!! LOL Fab choice and a lovely card.
Hugs
Annette - Netty's Cards
xx
Proud to design for :
The Sugar Bowl Challenge,
Lili of the Valley,
Without Words Challenge
As You Like It Challenge, and
Tiddly Inks