As You See It has one of the ‘dreaded’ speed challenges currently, Challenge #355 – Lively Leaves and I literally made it just under the wire with this card. Earlier this week I had been playing with leaf printing and I had a piece already done, but I thought it might be considered cheating if I used it here. In the end I decided on this design and once I had chosen my dies, Pattern paper and card front sorted it wasn’t too difficult. What took time was trying to add foam to the back and I resorted to cutting a black piece of foam with the die but it took forever to poke out the bits and of course it stretched a bit in the cutting so that was a bit of an issue too. Next time I do this I’m going to glue the PP to the foam ahead of any cutting and cut them out as one piece, but that thought was too late for this card.
So the die used is from MFT, the background piece is from an ancient paper pad and I ensured the dragonfly was front and center before cutting. The sentiment was on my desk as it had fallen out of a small pack of ephemera and I decided to use it because I had forgotten to prepare a stamp ahead of time. I tried to match the card front to the tiny dots in the leaves.
I learned yesterday, that a close friend has had what appears to be a mild stroke, so I am going to send this card to her. They still don’t know whether it was a stroke for sure, so a barrage of tests have been done but she won’t get all the results for a few days. In the meantime they are allowing her to return home. She is a semi retired Geriatric nurse and her hubby is as well, so I guess they feel she will be okay at home while they pursue it further. Because they live in a small town up north, most of the complicated testing has to be sent to Vancouver so results take a while.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you and your time.
Lavender House Creations 
Beautiful card! I hope your friend is ok.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks and so far she is doing well.
LikeLike
Love the leaf frame and that dragonfly. Great idea to cut the frame from patterned papers. That pesky foam gets out of shape for me so I usually just die cut more images out of cardstock to add dimension. Your determination worked out well and met the 10 minute challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I’ve improved it since I posted as I added a bit of sparkle to the dragonfly. Makes a bit difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The leaves are lovely as well as the dragonfly in the background. I agree with Gail on using paper for dimension. Another way is to have thin sheets of foam like is used for shaker cards. Some may be narrow enough to fit behind the leaves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lisa. I was rushing and didn’t think of stacking several die cuts at the time.
LikeLike
Beautiful card for your friend and especially thoughtful to put the dragonfly in the centre. Dragonfly’s meaning is appropriate here and sincerely wish your friend a speedy recovery and results of her tests come back soon so she can move forward gradually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Brenda. I love dragonflies and their meaning.
LikeLike
The leaves make a great frame for the lovely dragonfly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Judy. A bit of sparkle really jazzed up this card
LikeLike
Beautiful card for your friend. Love the leaves cut from patterned paper and that dragonfly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLike
Love that leafy dies cut frame! So much work – I’m amazed you got it done within the 10 minutes. Thanks for getting speedy with us at As you see It and I hope your friend is OK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I was surprised I made it in the time I did myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So pretty, Johanna – what a lovely leafy frame! Your friend will love it, I’m sure! Thanks so much for playing at As You See It!
LikeLike
I always enjoy your commentary on the ‘dreaded’ speed challenge. I was sad to see that you need it for a sick friend, so I hope all goes well with her tests. I do love this die and especially the way you took card to make sure it framed that gorgeous dragonfly. It’s often surprising to me the unexpected things that use up the time – like poking out die cut bits! Thanks for joining in with us again at As You See It. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jan.
LikeLike
Beautiful card! I know from experience that poking out the leftover bits from those intricate dies eats up the time, let alone with foam on the back, so I feel your pain! But I love the 3D effect around the dragonfly image. What really adds interest to it are the coral colored dots you’ve added! Best wishes to your friend. I feel certain that your card will definitely help with her moral for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – its on its way to her.
LikeLike
What a beautiful card Johanna! Foam is so frustrating to cut, but it does add a lovely dimension without all the bumps of foam pieces. Hopefully your friend has gotten some answers and is improving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks and yes she does have some answers and is improving each day.
LikeLike
I love that leafy frame and the subtle dragonfly centre – a great card just under the wire! Sending love and best wishes to your friend too. Thanks for playing along with us at As You See It this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joanne
LikeLike