Friday 5 March 2010

DCM - March Birthstone - Aquamarine

Can you believe that we are already into the third month of this year?

The months are just flying by and the fact that we are ready for the first dare of the month it means that the The Daring Cardmakers are bringing us the third in their series of Birthstone challenges.

The birthday stone for March is traditionally the Aquamarine and I can remember going to the Natural History museum in London when I was at school and looking in amazement all the lovely sparkles that nature provides for us. Mind you, that was a lot of years ago now and most the stuff I learned back then has long left me.

The internet is great thought and a quick ‘Google’ brings up all sorts of interesting facts about the stone……things like

The word Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words "aqua marina" which means "sea water"

Because of its link to water the gemstone is often used as a charm by sailors for protection while at sea.

The largest ever stone was found during 1910 in Brazil. It weighed in at 243 pounds (that’s enormous) and was then cut into smaller stones which yielded over 200,000 carats.

It also says that the Aquamarine comes in a wide range of natural blue colours and shades from blue and blue-green, through to sea-green, so it gave me lots of scope when I came to make my card.


This time I got very messy with the old Acrylic paints and had a go at making a Grungepaper Rose.


There was a lot of ‘waiting’ time involved it making this.

Stamp the three flowers and cut them out.
Paint the backs pale Green and let it dry.
Turn it over, paint the fronts Aqua and let them dry.
Stamp the spots.
Cut, shape and stick the layers and wait for the glue to dry.

I got there in the end though.
I finished of the flower with some paper punched leaves and some crystals and beads dangly bits that I’ve threaded onto wire.

For down in the bottom corner of the card I made three paper roses which I’ve again arranged with paper punched leaved and wired beads.

Finally the whole thing was given a liberal coating of my newest favourite thing………Rock Candy Distress Stickles………soooooooo lush!



Square Card Blank – Craft Creations (Embossed Hammer)
Patterned Papers – Basic Grey (Wisteria)
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Weathered Wood) Adirondack (Denim)
Acrylic Paint – Ranger Adirondack Dabbers (Aqua & Juniper)
Rubber Stamps – The Artistic Stamper (Flowers & Spots)
Dies – Cuttlebug Nestabilities (Large Deckled Rectangle)
Embossing Plate – Fiskars
Paper Punch – Martha Stewart (Frond) Fiskars (Ribbon Slits Border punch)
Glitter Glue – Ranger Distress Stickles (Rock candy)

Stash Stuff
Plain Paper (Navy)
Ribbon
Beads
Wire
.

11 comments:

Lythan said...

all the patience paid off - it is fab ad I love that threaded ribbon

Annie said...

Ooer that card is just sooooo pretty. Lovely colour.
A x

Just4Khix said...

WOW Sue that is so gorgeous. I love anything 3D flowers. What a fabulous card, and you are such a talented cardmaker!

Pretty-In-Ink said...

It's stunning! your paper rose is gorgeous!

Kathy said...

Wow! fab card. Such a lot of work went into this and it was soooo worth the effort, it's so beautiful

Barb Smith said...

Love this card. You've put a lot of thought into it and added lots of elements for interest.

Barb. from Toronto, Canada

Lynda said...

This is so so pretty Sue I love it!

Love Lynda xxx

Julia Dunnit said...

That's one pretty card Sue. You are very patient.

ana said...

beautiful card :) love the colors. the flowers that you use to make the cards are made of paper or tissue?

thanks *

Davi said...

That is just gorgeous~~ The layers, softness, flowers and love the woven ribbon!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card, well worth the effort. I love those flowers.

Vanessa. :)