Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A Splash of Orange...and a Beautiful Dreamer...

Good afternoon, everyone!

It's a blustery day here in California...where'd the sun go?!  Oh, well...we do need the rain!  Hope it's been a good day for all of you...

I have a couple of cards to share with you today.  I've been having so much fun with altered fairies...there's just so many possibilities!

Here's my first...made for this week's Play Date Cafe' challenge...black & white with a SPLASH of orange...


...I think I did a bit more than a splash...I landed in the orange puddle!  This was so fun--felt like Halloween!  This adorable fairy is from Cafe Retro Art--Kristin has created so many fabulous digital images--lots to choose from!



Love this adorable fairy--so different with it's bird's egg body--love all the digitally added roses!  All I did was add some Dazzling Diamonds, LOTS of Platinum & Black Stickles, (I got a bit dotty!), some lace, ribbon, and that's about it!

Next, one of my favorite images from Crafty Secrets' "Altered Fairy" Creative Scraps--SO many wonderful images on these sheets!  Here's my card:


Vicki Chrisman gave me a bunch of these wonderful scallop-edged cards when we were at CHA--I love them!  (Thanks, Vicki!)  The frame is from Crafty Secrets' Sweet Chips Square Album & Frames set....I gave it a healthy dose of mica for a gorgeous chunky shimmer! 



So glad I happened to have just the right shade of old pink lace in my stash--sometimes we just get lucky, don't we?!  The "Beautiful Dreamer" sheet music image is one I found online...and the fabulous beaded branch--don't you love that?!--this is part of the new "bling" that Crafty Secrets will be selling soon! 



Once again...tons of Platinum Stickles, lace, soft white ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, and a lovely little crystal rhinestone... 



Speaking of "Beautiful Dreamer"...did you know it was the last song the legendary Stephen Foster wrote?  It wasn't even printed until after his death.  Sad, isn't it? 



It's always been one of my favorites...Such a haunting and enduring folksong...and he didn't ever know how it touched so many...He was so young.  It is written that when he died, he was only 37 years old and had only 38 cents in his pocket...

I love the lyrics of this beautiful song...


Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!


Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea
Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

(Words & Music By Stephen Foster)


Until next time...Sweet Dreams!

46 comments:

  1. So GREAT to see you over in The Cafe, Jules!

    This card is lovely...we miss your vintage style : ( and you, of course : )

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  2. Just a DREAMY post, all around! LOVE your creativity....I also think sheet music is so pretty. My grandma used to keep old music in her piano bench and my mom framed a few because they were really special. Love the picture at the end of the post and of course, as a word smith, I think the lyrics are lovely, too! xx P&H

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  3. Ummm, loved that song, can still hear my dad's voice singing it! Love the cards too..the pixie is so darling! Love the image of the little girl too...everything is so sweet here! Come say hi :D

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  4. These are wonderful! I really like the second one-it's beautiful!!! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a kind comment:).

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  5. Another creative post and ideas. LOVE the song!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  6. As usual, yu've outdone yourself-lovely cards-I'm really 'stuck' on that little frozen Charlotte/Kewpie type of doll image-so evocative of my youth-although they were antiques even then...

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  7. Yes Mama Julie...you help us all to dream!!! Beautiful Dreamer!! Yes you are!

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  8. Beautiful cards, love the vintage fairy image. Thanks for playing at the PDCC.

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  9. Oh your work is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing and thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful week. Terri

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  10. Wow, these cards are so beautiful!!! I love these little fairies - especially the little egg fairy, which I've never seen anything like before - and you have accented them so gorgeously, as always. Love that little sleeping darling at the end of the post, too!

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  11. All your pieces are so beautiful.
    debby

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  12. This post has taken me to another world....a dreamy, creamy world.

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  13. Oh dear, I started serenading my husband with that song. I love both of your new art pieces. That little bluebird is just so sweet. But I think I like the Halloweeny one best. It's like she's in a little egg costume. Too cute!

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  14. Lovely faerie dolls. love what you did with the Play date cafe colors. Thanks for playing along!

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  15. Love these cards. I know, I always say that, but I always do! You are so gifted.

    What a beautiful song. I don't think I've ever heard of it, but now after reading the words I'd love to hear it. Is there an artist who sings it that you recommend?

    Oh, also...have you seen a BBC miniseries called North and South? I just watched it over the weekend and loved it. I thought I'd ask since I know you love British period programs.

    I love your sleeping beauty girl at the end, such a doll.

    Hope you're having a wonderful evening!!

    PS: I found your sunshine...it's in Spokane :)

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  16. Hi, Julie!
    I am one of those people who received almost zero musical talent. That's why I appreciate it so much in others and love to hear the story of who wrote the music. Thanks for giving the history.

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  17. Julie, I love these two cards!! Only you could creative something beautifully orange like that!!! I love that song beautiful dreamer. It always makes me think of Bugs Bunny. He was always humming it in his cartoons, wasn't he! Love it! I always really enjoy reading the history behind things, especially poetry and music. Thanks so much for sharing and another beautiful post! You are so talented! Lots of love coming your way from the UK. It may be a bit ash covered though, hope you don't mind!! xxoo

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  18. The suns definately not come here Julie, must be on it's way back to you by now.

    Lots of lovely artwork here, I think the orage is just right.

    Beautiful Dreamer is lovely, yet always brings goose bumps if you know what I mean.

    B x

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  19. I so love your cards Julie,and the number two is so extra very sweet,
    Thanks for the sad story of Foster, so many men and weemen lived poor lives, only to be famous when dead......
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  20. I love that song. Haven't heard for a very long time though.
    Your cards are lovely - so much detail!
    Lesley x

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  21. Oow, that fairy is so so sweet! Wishing you a lovely Spring day, Julie, with a lot of sunshine! xo

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  22. Hi Julie! Your fairy cards are so sweet. I love that little cupie doll! You add such perfect touches to your cards. They're always so special!...What a pretty song. Have a beautiful day! xo Paulette

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  23. Your work is so beautiful! Aren't we all just beautiful dreamers! So glad I came for a visit and thank you for visiting me!!

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  24. Hi Julie :)
    Your cards are beautiful! The first one fairy is so cute and I like the conection of colours. The second card is more vintage and more romantic, and is beautiful :)
    I wanted to write:have a good day, but there must be late evening at the place where you are, so good night will be better :)

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  25. Beautiful cards and I can tell you had a wonderful time creating them. I, too, love playing with paper and magical ideas! When I was in grade school, we often sang the songs of Stephen Foster...so many sweet memories. Thank you for the reminders!

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  26. Julie, You have been one busy girl! All of these creations are wonderful! You surely work magic with those Crafty Secrets products :) Thanks for playing along with the PDCC!

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  27. I always love coming over to visit you! You always have the best things. I have had both strep and mono lately, so I am behind with the blogging. I feel as if I missed so many wonderful things in blogland.... Gotta catch up with everything! Love all your creations! And what a sweet pic of the girl dreaming! Wish I looked that sweet while I was dreaming!!!

    Have a wonderful day, hopefully you will have beautiful weather coming your way!
    Kate

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  28. That's so sad about Stephen Foster--I didn't know that he'd died so young . . . your cards are gorgeous, as always!

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  29. Beautiful cards! I just love all of the images used. Have a great day (hope it warms up for you)
    hugs,
    D

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  30. LOVE vintage! This was a fabulous post with great projects! Thanks for playing along with us at the PDCC!

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  31. The cards are beautiful. Thanks for the tip this morning. It was just me being computer stupid. I have a question? How did you change the two vertical bars on your blog to those beautiful flowers? And where did you find them.

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  32. Love the splash of orange! It's not a color I use often but it does make a cheerful impact!
    And I can't wait for the bead branch to be available - how cool is that! :D

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  33. Oh Julie it's soooooooooo nice to have you back. I've missed you!! I have that set of digital images that you used in the play date card, but haven't used them yet! Love this card, it's just so cute!!

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  34. Fab cards, I love your altered fairy one with the gorgeous beaded branch!

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  35. Hi there..got your note. I haven't seen Wives & Daughter's but I am going to be sure it gets put in our Netflix que. Yes, darn it! It would be so much fun to watch together. A British film festival and shortbread cookies :)

    The sun disappeared today...I have no idea where it went...I miss it...

    Hope you're having a wonderful afternoon,
    Erin

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  36. Lovely creations, Julie! Your vintage style is wonderful.. glad to see you visiting us back at the PDCC!!

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  37. Julie, How perfect that you should post about Stephen Foster on an evening I am writing about school and books. I loved biographies and remember reading about SF. Your cards are so special today. I love your puddle of orange card the best! The altered images are just wonderful! Finally off to bed, I wasn't letting this day pass without trying out my new crafting desk! Have a great week ahead! E

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  38. Julie, you are such a wonderful artist! Your cards are always exceptional. Beautiful Dreamer really takes me back to my younger days. It was the first song I learned to play on my Magnus organ when I was probably 11 or 12. Have a great night! Twyla

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  39. A wonderful post with beautiful words and fantastic cards. Have a wonderful Sunny Day:)
    Hugs Hanne

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  40. That is a beautiful song! Those cards are just amazing! I love the first one with the orange and black!

    Manuela

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  41. I am not a fan or orange usually, but I do like you fairy card. Come for a visit.
    karen

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  42. Hi there!
    So happy you found me today at BellaDella. Your blog is fabulous and I can't wait to take a peak around. Your cards are beautiful!

    Have a wonderful afternoon and I'll "see" you around soon.

    xo,
    Kim
    BellaDella

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  43. Your cards are beyond lovely...wow..I am so amazed...you inspire me. xoxo

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