Sunday 23 September 2012

Pan Pastels A Winters Tale



Before I say anything else, I want to extend a huuuuuge thank you to everyone for their comments on yesterdays post as well as all the kind mails I received. You can't begin to imagine how much they are  appreciated and although I shed many more tears as I read them, each and every one of them helped me get through a horrid day.

I've got up this morning trying to be positive and although I still feel totally wretched did at least get some sleep last night so set myself the task this morning of trying to discover what blogger had done with all my scheduled posts. But it's still a mystery to me, several posts were scheduled before my interface got switched on Thursday but are nowhere to be found, so I've had to rewrite this one and apologies to all my teamies at Allsorts for being so late this week.

When Emma came up with her theme for this week 'Inspired by a Song' my fist thoughts had to be associated with Freddie Mercury and Queen. I have been a member of the Queen Fan Club for many many years and as far as I'm concerned there has never been another voice in the world of pop to match Freddie's. During the last weeks of his life, Freddie  composed many meaningful and poignant songs and it is one of those that I chose as the inspiration for my card. 

A Winter's Tale is from the album Made in Heaven which was released in 1995 after Freddie's death in 1991. It is said that Freddie's inspiration for this song came during the hours he spent staring out the windows of their recording studio at Lake Geneva. The song is described as having a psychedelic dreamy feel and reflects what Freddie saw out of the windows.

I wanted to create a cold frosty feel and used distress inks and pan pastels for the background, stamped and embossed the Penny Black Winters Ledge image, then added glitter to the branches to give a winter feel. The sentiment is computer generated.


I also made a second card as one of my Flonz Craft stamps kept calling out 'Lady in Red' by Chris de Burg, the song which he wrote with reference to his wife Diane. I have paper pieced the image with Teresa Collins DP's which I also used on the card base, a die cut swirl and leaves and decoupaged flower from the same DP to carry the colours.

Today we are going to have lunch with one of our sons and his family, this is something we've not been able to do during the last ten weeks as it wasn't possible to lave Buffy for very long. In fact apart from basic shopping trips and one to a friend in early August which had been planned for months, we have hardly left the house.

Whatever you have planned, I hope you have a good Sunday and again my grateful thanks to you all for your kindness. 



47 comments:

Marianne said...

Oh they are both so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Marianne MW

Anonymous said...

oh wow how beautiful I just love the snowwy glitter, amazing work Brenda, and love that lady in red!

I was just watching a show on Freddie Mercury and Queen last night! There will certainly be no one like him!

Claire said...

Two very beautiful cards Brenda, I love the misty feel to the scenic one and the glittery frost is fab. Love the lady in red too, the paper piecing is beautiful and I love your neat stitching. I can never get the tension right. I hope you can enjoy lunch with your son and also that those posts turn up
hugs
Claire xx

cebelica said...

Both of your cards are gorgeous! Hugs! xx

Sadilla said...

Hi dear!!
I've only read today your post... so sad for you... unfortunately I totally understand you, and the way you feel, it's something so painful to loose our 4 legs friends...
I just send you a huge warm hug darling!!!
and by the way, as usual your cards are great! =)
Sadi

Mervi said...

Beautiful cards Brenda,
both so lovely.
Enjoy your lunch with your family;-))m

Sue said...

Stunning card Brenda. I love the gorgeous scene with the wonderful colours and the lady in red is equally beautiful.
I hope you have a nice lunch.
Take care
Hugs Sue

Crafting Queen said...

Love both your cards. HOpe you have a good day. Lots of hugs Anesha.

Tracy said...

Hope your coping Brenda, glad you got some sleep. Your cards are total stunners today. I always love your scenes and the inspiration behind this card is great too. As for your lady in red she is beautiful, your choice of papers suit her so well. Love the rich papers and the image is fabulous.
Have a good day
happy crafting
Tracy x

ellyscard creatief said...

Both of your cards are beautiful.Gr Elly

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda

jacqui x

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

First I understand what it is to loose such a great friend.
Then your cards are fab. Specially the first one.
My lovely greet
Marja

Beryl said...

Two beautiful cards Brenda and as you can probably guess the top one is my fave. The thought that you had Freddie in mind when you made it makes it even more special to me. I'm sure a family dinner will do you the world of good. Couldn't have got by without my family this last couple of years.
Hugs
Beryl xx

Mieke said...

Absolutely beautiful!

nnalorac said...

Both stunning cards Brenda, love your song choices to take inspiration from, gorgeous results. Enjoy your family get together which I'm sure will help ease things a little. Takes time doesn't it. Carolxx

mags said...

Two wonderful cards Brenda. Love your choice of song title. I too am a member of the fan club and always go to their annual convention in April. Just love Queen.
Mags
x

Ella's Design said...

Beautiful cards, Brenda! I love your first one, it reminds me very much of the stunning landscape here in Wales on these misty Autumn mornings and you've captured the song title wonderfully! (I too am a Queen fan) Love the warm red tones of your second card and wouldn't you just love a coat like that?! Hope you enjoy your family dinner and the company of loved ones, hugs, Lisa x

Iri said...

Красиво! Мне очень понравилось!

Wendy Fraser said...

Such stunning projects since my last visit and I'm so sorry for the loss of your faithful companion. Big hugs to you xxx

Paula (PEP) said...

Family are so improtant at times like these so hope you're able to have some quality family time.
The first is my favourite of these - the colours & the silhouetted scenery really are wintery.
Take good care & thinking of you.
Paula (PEP)

Stamps and Paper said...

Two stunning creations Brenda but I just love your inking on the first one and that stamp is on my wish list!
Enjoy your lunch...

Anne

Anonymous said...

Dear Brenda I am so sorry to hear about your loss! This year my 15 year old cat died in a similar way. It has been a really painful loss so I understand a little of what it must be like for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Both your cards are lovely!
Pearl x

Mrs.B said...

Hi Brenda, Two fabulous card, Love the Winters Tale, tree looks stunning, Lady in Red - Gorgeous.
Glad you're feeling more positive today.
Avril xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Brenda, both cards are gorgeous. I love the scenes you create and also your red vibrant card is so beautiful with the layers & flowers. I hope you are enjoying your deserved outing with your family. I imagine the furry family members are giving you extra love. Hugs, Shirleyx

Gail said...

Cards are beautiful Brenda! Try to have a good day.

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

It's early days yet but I'm glad kind words helped.
Your 2 cards are wonderful , the scene is just beautiful , you excel at these.
I also love Queen , I remember crying for poor Freddie in my friends kitchen near Art college, I can still cry listening to "who wants to live for ever".
big hugs. janex

Kat said...

Stunning cards Brenda. Love the first one, it just looks so peaceful. The second one is very striking and the paper piecing is lovely.

Hope you had a lovely lunch with your family. I'm sure they would all be missing Buffy too. I'm sure you've been through this kind of loss a few times and you know it gets better eventually. I usually never start to feel better till we get another dog!!

Kat xx

Pat said...

Two absolutely beautiful cards Brenda, love the frosty morning feel to the first one, and great vintage image on the second. Have a good day with your son and his family.

Pat xx

lisa said...

So sorry to hear your sad news, Brenda. They leave such an empty space don't they but I know she'll have had a wonderful life with you.
Your cards, as always, are beautiful.
Sorry to have been such a bad blogger lately, real life has got in the way somewhat!!!
Hope you have a lovely meal with your family.
Hugs Lisax

Tanya said...

I hope you feel better soon Brenda, I know how difficult this is. Dinner with your family will definitely help I'm sure. Your cards are both fabulous, the frosty appearance of the first one is so beautiful and the warm reds and oranges on the second are so rich.

Take care, enjoy your meal and big hugs.
Tags xx

Shazza said...

love, love, love them xxx

Desire Fourie said...

Brenda these are so beautifully designed and all the elements work so well together. I am especially in love with the first one. Hugs Desíre {Doing Life - my personal blog}

Lorraine said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda. I love the serenity of the top card, it's just beautiful. The lady in red is gorgeous too.
Lorraine x

McCrafty's Cards said...

Both cards are beautiful Brenda, I am a big Queen fan and I love the A winters tale, I love the colours on your card, and the lady in red is gorgeous.
Keep your chin up.
Kevin xx

Gerrina said...

Both cards are so beautiful! The red one catches the eye at first and I love how you let the rose come back in the lighter colours. The first card is again so to the point by the way you sketched this scene; I could allmost feel the cold of winter in my warm room... Hugs, Gerrina

Lisa Jane said...

Hello Brenda - sorry i missed your post yesterday as i was away. My heart is with you, and i know you have some fabulous memories to cherish.
Fabulous cards ,, i just love that lady in poppy red
Lisa x

Rhonda Miller said...

Beautiful cards.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Smashing cards B. really love them both but think the top one has to be my favourite - did you know there is a tab to back up your blog before changing interface - think it is on the layout page...here just found it on a comment from my friend:
".. if you go into blogger dashboard/template at the top there is an option to back up your blog. This is used to save your information if you lose it after playing around with the template."
Not much use this time but maybe use it for next time?? God bless, Shaz in Oz,x

Jackie said...

Love the red card, but the frosty morning one is my favourite. Just the kind of morning I love. I need to get a few more Pan Pastel colours :o)
Jackie xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Two beautiful card, so different but both wonderful. The first one is my personal favorite.

walchowDesign said...

I hope you feel a little bit better today, Brenda!

Your first card is stunning - absolutely love it and the colours are just perfect! I'm a fan of Freddy too and the dutch tv happened to telecast a documentary about him on Sat.

May said...

I hope firstly Brenda that you are doing ok.. it will take time my friend x x x
Gorgeous cards Brenda I too am a big fan of Freddie I know this song well, gorgeous card, as for lady in red Stunning work. you take care now Brenda x x
Hugs May x x x

Elizabeth Allan said...

You are in my thoughts Brenda.....

Today's post is yet another inspiring duo of creative art!

Unknown said...

Two beautiful cards Brenda, loving the first one with the frosty feel and love the added glitter to the branches... so beautiful. .. me too loved the Queen and think Freddie Mercury had one of the greatest voices. What a loss to this world xx

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Merry said...

Two amazing cards and I love the extra information of the songs that you have added. I agree you cant go past Freddie Mercury.

Cath Wilson said...

I haven't been blogging much lately, Brenda, but noticed you'd updated and came to read about your beloved friend. I'm so very sorry. I cried as soon as I saw her photo because she looks so much like my little boy, whom I lost ten years ago and still cry for! He was always with me, too, and always under my chair when I was stamping. It took me a long time to stamp at home again after his death.

My heart goes out to you and I hope you'll find comfort in the happy memories, as I do. Wish I could give you a huge hug but I know that nothing will ease the pain until you're through it. Be gentle with yourself. Cath x