Friday 21 February 2014

Thank-you for the Memories!

Hello again! No doubt you know that the Extraordinary Shirley Temple died this month. For me anyway, She leaves behind only the happiest of childhood memories, watching re-runs of her movies, usually on a weekend matinée (likely having fought for negotiated viewing as my brother would have wanted to watch some sport programme!).

In my mind Shirley represents an era (Depression America) whose earnest values have long since diminished. She, and her movies, had a charming innocence (though I acknowledge some now could view aspects as a little risqué). She played a darling poppet who seemed to genuinely radiate abundant love and happiness toward all, regardless of age, race, wealth or crankiness of disposition. Her performing abilities were remarkable and the icing on the cake is that she managed to move from 'The Movies' to the adult 'real world' and lead a successful happy life. Rest in peace Shirley Temple Black.



The idea for my card came about on a tangent. One of the challenges I'm entering has restricted entries to an unusual colour combination and I was finding it difficult to make something I liked. Reading about Shirley's death I came across a free vintage image of her (thank-you Janet K Designs) that I thought could be adjusted to fit the requirements of the colour challenge and other challenges as outlined below. I edited the image in Photoshop to remove any black and imbued strong sepia tones. Also altered the polkadots of her pjs to shades of plum, purple, blue and navy. Added too some of the lyrics of the delightful "Good Ship Lollipop" song from her movie "Bright Eyes". For the full song lyrics see here. Seriously, who could not smile at thoughts of "happy landings on a chocolate bar" etc!

The layers:
I've used plum and blue sheets from Prima 'Firefly' collection. 1st layer plum sheet. Next is blue debossed with Cheery Lynn 'Petite Hearts' plate. Then plum sheet embossed with Cheery Lynn 'Stitcher' plate and on top of that blue diecut using Cheery Lynn 'Sophia Heart' die. On lower half I embossed a blue CS with Sizzix Music texture fade. Then liberally coated brayer with Versamark chalk ink in 'Purple Hydrangea' and rolled brayer over embossed music several times to give the purple notes. (This looked great so it's a pity I had to cover up so much of it!). Also included two Magnolia border diecuts.

For the layout there was only one way to go and that was to put Shirley 'centre stage'.  Edited photo as above and printed onto canvas paper sheet. Matted that onto SEI Velvet paper in 'Chocolate'. Stenciled in little hearts and stars around Shirley using a Heidi Swapp mask and Wendy Vecchi texture paste.

Top Left - Well Shirley had to have a nice big jaunty bow for her cameo appearance on my blog today. I then added two stars (cut with Sizix Bigz 'Stars' die) that I had coated with Distress Glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy'. The 'cutie' charm is by K&Co.

Top Right - painted a starry corner charm with gesso and then anointed with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate ink. Diecut SEI 'Chocolate' velvet with film strip die.

Bottom Left - The candy cane is diecut using Sizzix Bigz 'Stocking & Candy Cane' die. As before, applied lots of Distress Glitter to the Candy Cane. Wrapped some beige cord around for decoration and affixed grosgrain bow.

Bottom Right - There had to be a lollipop and I bet Shirley loved to have M&Ms on hers! Punched an oval from SEI Blue Velvet paper and glittered as before. Affixed it to cotton bud. Added lots of brads, bow and 'Sweet' charm.

Finished off with lots of gems and bling - this girl most definitely merits glitz!

Thank-you so much for stopping by and I hope you share my happy memories of Shirley. It's a long post so thank-you if you've read it all the way through!

Have a lovely weekend and here's hoping that the approaching storms in this part of the world won't do further damage.

Nicola x

Thank-you to hosts, sponsors and DTs of the following challenges that I wish to enter:
Our Creative Corner - Use Blue, Brown and Purple/Plum with no black or white
Inspiration Journal - Show It With Words - I've included lyrics
Simon Says Stamp Monday - A Cameo Appearance - Shirley is making a Cameo appearance on my blog!
Craft Your Passion - Girly Girl
Charisma Cards - Inspired By A Movie
Southern Girls - Bling It, Bling, Bling
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
Craft for the Craic - Heart
Crafty Hands Devon - Heat/Dry Embossed background

39 comments:

  1. wow this is so wonderfully thought out and beautifully executed. A glorious tribute to Shirley Temple. Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  2. What a lovely tribute to a legend Nicola, the lollipop and the star are perfect touches and the whole piece so thoughtfully put together.

    Hope you have a good weekend.

    B x

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  3. This is such a fantastic tribute to a wonderful actress. I love how you managed to change the picture to leave just brown, blue and purple hues - you are so clever! The music, the stars, the film strip and lollipop are wonderful additions. Love this Nicola! Hugs, Anne xx

    Thank you too for joining our challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Anne xx

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  4. Beautiful card Nicola.
    Yes, this is the same paper :)

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  5. What a wonderful tribute to Shirley Temple Black -- all your embellishments are perfect reminders of this child star and wonderful lady.
    Sandy xx

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  6. How sweet is this! I had honestly not expected to see any sort of tribute to this talented lady here on blog land and WOW...what a wonderful surprise to see her young and sparkling face. Your creation and walk down memory lane are fantastic!!

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  7. This is a bit different from your usual style, but oh so sweet! I think this card has a fabulous design with lots of great details fitting the themes of all the challenges. I really like this card, Nicola!

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  8. Fab card love the colours you have used. Thank you for joining us at Charisma Cardz this fortnight for our Inspired by a movie challenge xx

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  9. What a fabulous and fitting tribute Nicola! Love the alterations to the photo (including all those pyjama spots) and the way you've captured the essential 'Shirley' elements. Thank you so much for joining us at Our Creative Corner with this. Jenny x

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  10. Such a beautiful card Nicola with all the references to and picture of Shirley Temple. I have loved looking at all the details and reading your post. Have a great weekend. xx

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  11. Nicola, this is such a precious honour to a lady who obviously thoroughly entertained you.
    Adore the lollipops, such fun.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  12. I loved Shirley Temple. You did a fabulous job with this card. Well done!

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  13. Such a beautiful card and perfect tribute to our beloved Shirley Temple. It was big excitement in our house when a film would come on with her. Everything just stopped and we sat down and enjoyed the film.
    Hope you have a good weekend, Julie x

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  14. You did such a great job on this tribute card.

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  15. You did such a great job on this tribute card.

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  16. So pretty Nicola! Love the sweet pic of Shirley Temple! All the shimmery detail adds such a nice touch! Have a great weekend!

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  17. This is a fab make ! Ww what a great idea....love how you have combined allt how elements, what a really fab make ! Hugs trace x

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  18. Hi Nicola, What a wonderful tribute to this amazing lady...the attention to detail is outstanding...the embellishments are perfect ...Love the lollipop...Fantastic image of Shirley too....Simply Beautiful... Hugs May x x x

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  19. Truly wonderful creation and a lovely tribute to Shirley Temple Black,

    Sylvie, Craft for the Craic DT

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  20. What a wonderful creation and tribute to the late-great Shirley Temple. I love the colours you used and that lollipop looks mighty tasty right now !!

    Thanks for joining us this week at Craft Your Passion. Good luck.

    Lynn, CYP DT

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  21. Nicola, this is a wonderful tribute to Shirley Temple...and yes, I do have the same warm feelings toward her...great childhood memories. I love the details which all have significance to her life. You have rocked the colour scheme...the modifications of the photo are phenomenal. Love the bling, the bow,,,and the M&Ms...lol. Thanks for joining our Girly-Girl Challenge at Craft Your Passion this week. It was lovely to visit you and I'm always smitten with your makes, you talented woman!

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  22. Loving all the glitz and bling!
    Gorgeous card
    Thank you for joining us at Crafty Ribbons Challenges
    Laura

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  23. Fabulously done card, such cute image of Shirley Temple & love all the sparkle! Wonderful Tribute!
    Good to see you join us for the Southern Girls Challenge, hope to see you come back soon!
    ¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))*((¸¸.•´ ..•´
    Shell in Alaska ~ SGC DT ~

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  24. Gorgeous and original card Nicola, love the cute additions and the bling on them, what a lovely tribute to this great actress!!! Have an happy Sunday, hope it will be with sun at your side, I didn't checked... :) Hugs, Coco xxx

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  25. A lovely tribute to adorable Shirley (though I must say I remain relieved that Fox refused to loan her out to play Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz!). I love the image converted to sepia, and all the brilliant details - the lollipop (straight from the Good Ship) is a delight. Lovely to have you play along with us at Our Creative Corner.
    Alison xx

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  26. WOW Nicola, this is really something! I love visiting your Blog, and am a great fan of your work. Judy x

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  27. Beautiful card Nicola...so many details, I can’t stop looking at it! Thank you very much for nice comment on my blog! Greetings from Slovenia

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  28. Nicola, this is such a beautiful card depicting the late Shirley Temple. Every detail is perfectly chosen and designed, so exquisite. Love reading your write up too. Have a lovely week!
    Hugs, Katie

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  29. What a gorgeous creation and a beautiful tribute to Shirley! So stunning, my friend!! xo Ivana

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  30. Very 'HOLLYWOOD' and beautifully put together
    Thanks for joining in the Hearts Challenge at Craft for the Craic
    Pixie DT member

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  31. Such a wonderful creation and a wonderful tribute to this amazing lady.
    Thank you for joining in with our challenge at CraftyHands x

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  32. What a lovely tribute to Shirley Temple and beautiful thoughts and memories. Love the embellishment and your beautiful card. Thanks for playing in the challenge with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

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  33. She was wonderful, and I watched her movies with such enthusiasm when I was little, and still sing some of her songs when they come to mind. They make you happy...you know? What a fantastic tribute! I love the image and love all the goodies surrounding her!

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  34. Thanks so much for joining our Inspiration Emporium February Show It With Words Challenge!

    Yep, I am singing On The Good Ship Lollipop, its a short trip to the candy shop....Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute card...Shirley would be proud!

    ♥ Sue Kment

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  35. very lovely! full of life and colour. Many thanks for joining the crafty hands challenge and good luck!!! Melissa (DT)

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  36. Thank you for joining us this month at Inspiration Journal! What a great tribute to Shirley Temple. =)

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  37. Ooooh ... just noticed you won at Crafty Ribbons Challenge for this piece!! Congrats!!!! I see you did find a way to put together those colors into a winning combination. I had no doubts :) I adore the inspiration for this card. Shirley Temple was one of my favorites too. This is such a wonderful tribute to her. Your lollipop made me smile. -- Mary Elizabeth

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  38. OMG this is a True Play of Art....., thanks a million for your comments at Lisa Minckler Blog about the Seed Packets with my Giant Flowers ,,,,feel free to ask me your free product from all my stuff.email me to nicecrane@yahoo.com

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x